Michelle has a 19-year old son who has severe autism. He goes to college for a basic life skills course, but lost his £30 per week Education Maintenance Allowance when it was abolished. He is on higher rate Disability Living Allowance, but Michelle fears he will be downgraded when he is assessed for the new Personal Independence Payment. Michelle works as a carer and cleaner, takes in lodgers, teaches English as a foreign language and makes hanging baskets. She says, “Anything to keep off benefits, but I couldn’t cut back a penny more than we already do. I’ve been an advocate for disabled families for years now, but if I didn’t know the system, I wouldn’t cope.”