What Happened to The Woman Living in A Car After Her Benefits Were Slashed?

Former NHS nurse Ann Cumberland-Quinn claims she is still living in her car and 'eating out of bins to survive' - half a year after she first told her story.

When the News wrote about Ann in May, her disability benefits had been slashed after a review, forcing her to live out of her car.

Six months on, the 55-year-old says she is now barely surviving and her health has taken a turn for the worse.

She says she has still not successfully been housed by the council and is still not receiving disability allowance payments - despite being incontinent and barely able to walk.

She said: "I have been living in my car. A friend took me in for two days then she's moved on.

"My neck is really killing me, sleeping in the car my neck locks. I told the doctor is was screaming in pain and I can't put the chair down in that car because it's an old car.

"I've been going to garbage bins, anywhere... people's houses at three o'clock in the morning and it is not very nice when I'm wet and my trousers are all wet.

"I am incontinent both ends and I'm ashamed."

Ann, who suffers from a condition called paresthesia, causing weakness affecting all four limbs, has been sleeping in her car with her pet chihuahua Chanel for over a year.

She continued: "I can't go on like this. This is emotional, mental and physical abuse from everybody. They [the DWP] say I haven't got proof of entitlement... I can't hold a pen to write because my hands have dropped."

A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson confirmed she is not receiving any disability allowance, known as personal independence payment (PIP), but does receive employment support allowance - which means it deems her able to work.

He said: “Decisions for PIP are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant and their GP or medical specialist, and anyone who disagrees with a decision can appeal."

The DWP said it understood Ann found accommodation in August - but in September her doctor said she had no permanent home.

Medical documents seen by the News show Ann was assessed in September by an Addenbrooke's neurosurgeon as only being able to walk "using two crutches with great difficulty" as her condition continues to deteriorate.

The documents described her as having "no fixed abode", and she is currently on the waiting list for spinal surgery.

Despite her issues Ann, who resides in Ely, says she is continually the subject of abuse by members of the public who call her a 'benefit cheat'.

Image: Ann Cumberland-Quinn.

She also claims she has not been housed by East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) housing officers.

Ann claims she has ongoing legal issues with the council, and cannot get any legal aid since it was slashed by the coalition government in 2012.

Meanwhile in February East Cambridgeshire District Council announced it has 'stamped out homelessness' in the district.

Speaking about Ann's case, Cllr Mike Rouse, service delivery champion for East Cambs District Council, said: "We cannot provide information on individual cases, but we always ensure assistance is given to anyone who approaches the council with homelessness issues, whatever their circumstances."

Image: Cllr Mike Rouse