ESA permitted work....is this what usually happens

A woman I know who has severe depression, substance misuse issues and an acquired brain injury was, until very recently, in the support group of ESA. She was asked by a charity that supports her if she would like to do an occasional couple of hours washing dishes. It was part of the supported, permitted work. She said she would but only managed to do one session before being too unwell to do any more.
Anyway, as soon as she contacted the DWP to say she was going to do the supported work, she was called in for a review by the DWP. As a result, she was given zero points and when she got the report back, it indicated that as she was well enough to wash dishes, she was well enough to work! Her choice now is to claim job seekers but she is genuinely not well enough to seek work, or go without money until her appeal date comes up!
What is the point in anyone trying to do permitted work if this is what is going to happen to them? I would love to be able to dip my toe into the water and maybe try out voluntary work.....but I am too afraid if this is what is going to happen.

Hi, yeah, I am sure that there is more to it. People only tell you what they want you to know. It just seems such a shame.