ELLIE James says her life is in limbo living on £112 a fortnight as she waits to appeal a fitness for work assessment she says took no account of a medical condition that causes constant pain.

Ellie’s disability is “under review” and she feels let down by the system she thought was there to help her.

But as changes to disability benefits kick in, Ellie says that at times she feels she’s treated like a “terror suspect”.

Ellie used to be seen on the touchlines at Hereford United as a photographer.

In 2011 she was diagnosed with a debilitating condition called fibromyalgia characterised by chronic widespread pain.

By February last year she had to stop work at her parent’s company because her parents could no longer do their job effectively while helping Ellie do hers. She applied for employment and support allowance only for the medical assessment to find her fit for work and not entitled to any support.

Ellie says the finding has sent her into a “severe depression”.

“Everything I’d said had been twisted into a manner that made it sound as if I was fit and well. There were also numerous assumptions made regarding things I was not even asked about,” she said.

Ellie has appealed against the finding, she has yet to hear anything of that appeal and, meantime, gets by on about £112 every fortnight.

“I am no longer in control of my mortgage and am at risk of losing my home, I have lost the use of my vehicle which is essential for me to transport to appointments and I can barely afford basic essentials,”

she said.

She says can’t even renew her disability living allowance because of the fitness for work assessment she disputes.

“I would like to get the word out about my experience to warn people of what to expect. These people aren’t there to help you as I’d expected, “ she said.

The Department of Work and Pensions said it does not comment on individual cases.

But in a statement, it said: “A decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough assessment and after consideration of all the supporting medical evidence provided by the claimant.

“Since 2010 we have considerably improved the work capability assessment (WCA) process.

“The percentage of people entitled to employment and support allowance is now at its highest level with over half of people completing a WCA eligible for the benefit, but everyone has the right to appeal a decision if they disagree with it.

“Overall only 15 per cent of all fit for work decisions are overturned on appeal and this is often because people present new evidence which wasn’t available when the original decision was made.”