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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be furious that my long-term disabled sister has just been told she will have to pay the bedroom tax?

155 replies

ElectricSheep · 17/04/2013 22:15

She has been battling with a very severe disability all of her life. Everyday is a struggle for her.

Twenty years ago after a long stay in hospital she was offered a 2 bedroom council flat so that she could be near us - her family - so that we can care for her and support her.

She knows she can never work again. Her consultant advised against it and it is just not a practical option.

And now she is expected to pay about 7% of her income in bedroom tax because the council gave her 2 bedrooms. She didn't ask for 2 bedrooms, it's all they had available. They can't offer her 1 bedroom and anyway moving would much more difficult for her than anyone else.

I'm so furious. On the day the Govt spend £10 million+ on a very controversial funeral they have just made life even more difficult and miserable for my brave, vulnerable sister. Bastards.

OP posts:
custardismyhamster · 17/04/2013 22:47

This government are disgusting. An example I've seen is a person who needed the second bedroom because its where their dialysis machine is kept. They will have to pay the bedroom tax.

I've also seen a Facebook post (which is WRONG, in case this isn't obvious) saying that if you're a Muslim you are ok because you can say it's a prayer room and so how awful Muslims are for doing this. I hate the daily fail culture

Original poster
ElectricSheep · 17/04/2013 22:48

I will try some of the housing associations round here fortheloveofsocks but I don't hold out much hope - I have a friend who has been trying to downsize since she was left with a 'spare room' since her DS died just before Christmas Sad

Thanks for the mostly sympathetic replies. It does help to know that others think think this is one of the most mean, nasty and totally unjust policies we've had. Shame on those millionaire politicians in their 10 bedroom mansions.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 17/04/2013 22:51

It's only in London & the South East that this is a problem; in the northern cities it's the other way round, there aren't enough smaller properties

StatisticallyChallenged · 17/04/2013 22:56

It took my mum about 3 years to be given a downsized property - and that was with her having a very high "priority" level due to disability which meant her house (with stairs) was no longer appropriate.

In my city, there are 15,500 households waiting for a 1 bedroom social housing property. 500 become available each year.

edam · 17/04/2013 22:57

Appalling that this penalty is being inflicted on vulnerable people like your sister - such a cruel, spiteful act by this government.

They've set up a particularly nasty Catch-22; apparently (according to the London Evening Standard) if you have children living at home who turn 18, apparently you will lose housing benefit. But if they move out, you will have to pay the bedroom tax. So, keep a roof over your child's head and you will suffer. Kick 'em out and you will also suffer.

HoppinMad · 17/04/2013 23:00

Yanbu

I an not affected by the bedroom theft (its not a tax its theft) but I am absolutely livid for your sister, and deeply worried for many people who are just scraping by already.

Those who NEED security and protection the most ie children, disabled, poor people are on the receiving end of these welfare changes. How can anyone justify the actions of our bloody government?
This wont end well.

MajaBiene · 17/04/2013 23:01

I know of several families who are being charged because they live in specially adapted homes - there is no chance to move house, the council have placed them in properties and spent thousands adapting them!

The majority of people being affected by the bedroom tax are disabled or have disabled children. Disability certainly does not make you exempt.

andubelievedthat · 17/04/2013 23:04

yes, dreadfull, thou the Daily Fail lot must have there spiteful little opinions catered for ,along with the likes of Vijac, always looking to fuck someone over! only good thing? strong poss this is his poll tax moment, and for those who claim to "pay" tax? oh really? like you write out a generous check each payday? no one "pays" tax,it is deducted at source and if you try to swindle it ,they come after you big style.(unless you in with the Philip Green crowd ! £10,000,000 to bury someone"s mother,F.F.S.!

NettleTea · 17/04/2013 23:05

can any one explain why, yet again, anyone who is a pensioner is exempt from this bedroom tax. Surely the DLA recipients have often had alot of money adapting homes for them or have spare rooms for therapy or because they physically cannot share with another person because of their condition. And I would have thought that its the pensioners who probably are still in big houses they dont want to leave after their kids have all left home (not that I am supportive of ANYONE being forced out of their home) but when the disabled are being targetted, what makes the pensioners so untouchable (along with everything else they have that has been ringfenced) I dont really want to believe that it is because they all vote Tory but the way they are treating the disabled doesnt incline me to believe that its because they are kind and caring.....

shesariver · 17/04/2013 23:08

However, she must be pleased to be supported with money and accommodation, despite being unable to work

How condescending does this sound Hmm If someone is so severely disabled then I would expect a caring society to provide the means for them as a matter of course!

34DD · 17/04/2013 23:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Grumpla · 17/04/2013 23:12

It's a shitty, spiteful, shameful way to treat your sister and all those like her.

Those who are least able to support themselves should be supported by those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to do so.

Bastards. Fucking bastards.

piprabbit · 17/04/2013 23:12

It is estimated that 660,000 people are going to be affected by bedroom tax.

One third of these people (230,000) are in receipt of Disabled Living Allowance.

More than 15% of people (100,000) affected by bedroom tax are actually living in specially adapted homes.

(Figures according to National Housing Fedaration)

This truly is a tax that massively disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable people in society.

Smithsgirl88 · 17/04/2013 23:14

Contest it first, give them all the facts and see if that makes any difference. I used to think contesting was a waste of time until someone I know contested his disability being cut and he won. When they issue room tax they don't look at individual cases, they rely on that person to issue it to them if they have a problem.
Also, I'm more than certain that if you're on the waiting list for a smaller place then the room tax won't affect you. My parents are and they haven't been affected by it. Double check first though. Your sister would be priority because she's giving up a smaller place and she can afford to be picky as well, hopefully finding a place equally as close to family and friends.

SingingSands · 17/04/2013 23:16

Awful to hear another example of our Government taking away from our most vulnerable people. I'm really sorry electricsheep.

Our welfare system should be something we are proud of, a safety net to catch those in need, a sign of a civilised society. The current government are treating it like a dirty shameful thing and breaking it apart. Where does this leave the vulnerable? Cameron will be bringing back the workhouses next.

34DD · 17/04/2013 23:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MajaBiene · 17/04/2013 23:20

It is worth challenging the bedroom tax decision where it is blatantly discriminatory like this. There are forms and guides on this site www.govanhilllc.com/brtax/

Queenmarigold · 17/04/2013 23:20

I cannot believe they are taxing the disabled? That can't be right surely?? I mean, seriously? Unbelievable. I am so sorry.

spiritedaway · 17/04/2013 23:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Original poster
ElectricSheep · 17/04/2013 23:35

Thanks so much for the link 34DD

We will appeal on the grounds that one of us does frequently stay when my sister is very ill (mostly my poor DM Sad)

The info does say appeals are likely to take some time (what a surprise!) and to apply for Discretionary housing payments to make up the shortfall in the meantime. It must surely cost more to administer all these appeals and discretionary payments than they receive in bedroom tax? Why don't they sort out the rules properly in the first place? Still I suppose it keeps someone in a job.

Must go to bed now, thanks for the replies everyone.

OP posts:
lauriedriver · 17/04/2013 23:38

Why the spite towards pensioners? Aren't they also among societies most vunerable? Using the argument that the disabled shouldn't be taxed while at the same time saying 'what makes the pensioners so untouchable' is missing the point completely. It is an unfair tax for all.

propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS · 17/04/2013 23:42

Wow, just sickening to learn that the disabled are being abused!like this. How vile but sadly no surprise from this shower of shit government.

Goal · 17/04/2013 23:46

How much is she being asked to pay? Is it something you and or your siblings or parents could help out with?

pigsDOfly · 17/04/2013 23:47

You can judge a society by the way it treats its most vulnerable, or in this case a you can judge a government.

Can we hope that things like this will make people get out and vote these bastards out at the next general election.

So Vijac, what the hell would you have her do. Live on the street and beg for alms?

Viviennemary · 17/04/2013 23:48

I also agree there is a need to free up larger houses for families. Not that two bedrooms is exactly a large house. But it's not been well thought out since over 60's are exempt. They should have made it over 70's. That would have been better. There's always money for the 'important' things. Like funerals for ex-leaders of the Tory party.