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

[ElectricSheep]

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.

YANBU

Those Tory bastards. I'm so sorry for your sister and all the other vulnerable people being targeted by this vile government. I hope your appeal is successful.

YADNBU

Thanks everyone. Some good information on some of the links.

AFAIK our local Council will grant an exemption not just DHP in cases that qualify. Their website says you can claim the Discretionary Housing Payment while you wait for an appeal to be heard which, it says, is likely to takes months.

We obviously thought of a lodger but it is not a realistic option. I was talking to my sister earlier and she told me the council originally said that that was the only property available and when she told them she only needed one bedroom they said that they thought the second bedroom was a good idea in case she ever needed someone to stay over! Oh the irony

My sis is in the exact same situation and we are furious!

You should lie - like my neighbours!! They got a 4 bed (2 adults, 3 boys under 16), by saying their older daughter (pregnant at that time, expecting a girl) would be living there. She never has, but is on the ER. She's living with her boyfriend - who claims a council tax discount for a single person! What beats me is that these people are openly bragging how they've played the system and have not been found out or reported.

It's people who have fiddled the system that have caused problems. They're the minority who have spoiled it for the genuine. It is also totally wrong that people are being punished (and possibly FORCED into lying).