Benefits cut adding to the grief of Croydon mum (From Croydon Guardian)

Benefits cut adding to the grief of Croydon mum Michelle Lee Sang

5:20pm Thursday 4th October 2012 in News

Michelle Lee Sang with photos of her sons Jemel and Michael

A grieving mum who has not worked because of depression since losing two sons and a nephew is facing homelessness after having her benefits stopped.

Michelle Lee Sang's son Jemel Atere-Roberts, 19, died in February 2004, when he was the front seat passenger in a BMW that crashed head-on with a single decker bus on the bridge on Tennison Road, South Norwood.

Six years later his older brother Michael, 28, died of a heart attack in his sleep, and six weeks later her nephew died following an epileptic fit.

Miss Lee Sang has been in receipt of employment and support allowance since 2009 when she lost her job at Ann Summers through drinking, depression and anxiety. She can see where the fatal crash occurred from her window.

Last week, a letter sent to the mum-of-three who lives with her daughter 19, and is legal guardian to her nephews aged 20 and 13, said they had stopped paying her £181 every two weeks, after it was decided she did not have any limited capability for work.

The 46-year-old said she will be fighting the "unfair" decision, which she says has left her "penniless."

A department for work and pensions spokesman said: "Employment Support Allowance (ESA) assesses someone’s capacity for work and looks at what a person can do, not what they can’t. For those who need additional help getting into work, the Work Programme will provide tailored support.

"If someone disagrees with the outcome of their Work Capability Assessment, they have the right to ask the DWP for a reconsideration or appeal to an independent tribunal."