to think this governments attitude towards disabled people and children is disgusting

[itsnothingoriginal]

To say they are 'pleased' having won the case that essentially throws disabled families into a poverty situation and may lead to many losing their homes will help save the taxpayer money.

Am I missing something or is this just completely heartless?

I thought the judgement was not due until tomorrow, do you have a link please?

Can't link but main headline on BBC news website..

The judgement was today.

Fuck a duck I've been on Monday all day.

This govt's attitude towards anyone who relies on them for any support is disgusting.
This govt despises vulnerable people who cannot afford to wholly support themselves.

Why is the housing benefit budget so high? It doesn't take a genius to figure out but of course, the blame is laid at the feet of the tenants.

Clegg was spraffing off about how private tenants don't get extra rooms. If he had a clue he would know that private tenants on HB can rent as many rooms as the cap allows.

But what would he know? He gets all the bedrooms in some of his homes paid for by the taxpayer and he gets to keep the place for good.

What judgement was this?

However the judgement only relates to adults not to children, children with a disability that can be proven to create a "unreasonable disturbance" or safety risk to anybody expected to share with them have been exempt from the rule since it came into force.
(Granted this was announced well after the exemption for pensioners and released pedophiles was and had to go to the high court to happen but exempt none the less they are)
This is an actual formal exemption that should not be dealt with under the DHP as an additional payment but actually exempted from the rule.

BUT you have to apply for the exemption its not automatic

here

Thanks for the link!

I was just really shocked this is being allowed to happen. I know most people agree with cuts to benefits but it just seems a step too far to me..

Hiya sock, heard this on the radio this morning and wondered what you would make of it.

Everything I have read about this suggests that each authority will make its own decision - therefore if you need the spare bedroom because you and your partner have to sleep separately, or space is needed for storage of medical equipment, then people won't be affected.

Or am I misled?

YANBU. I cannot believe that the court ruled in favour of the govt. Of course there are reasons why some disabled people need a spare room FFS.

The other issue is that, if the tenants downsize to a private property, they will likely need more housing benefit as the rent is higher.

Clegg was on and on about how this will help families get into larger homes. Bullshit! Anyone age 61+ is exempt.

Just seen this.

From what I read the judgement wasn't looking at the fairness of the policy, but looking at its legality?

You are misled, Holly.

The local MP for Brighton has stated that no one in Brighton will lose their home as a result of the 'bedroom tax'. If local councils can't make their own decisions then is that incorrect?

Yes it was based on legality rather than fairness and the judge did criticise the policy but it still leaves these families high and dry if their LA decides to evict them

Of course there are reasons why some disabled people need a spare room. But this should be done on an individual basis. And I also agree that it is unfair that over 60's are exempt. And also the rules don't apply to people who rent privately. They don't seem to be entitled to very much at all.

The government are saying local authority's can use discretionary housing payments holly. They have given £35 million pounds for them and are estimating saving £500 million per year through the policy.

Councils Will have to choose themselves who they will help out with it but it won't stretch that far.

Sorry that was for holly.

' And also the rules don't apply to people who rent privately. They don't seem to be entitled to very much at all.'

They are entitled to housing benefit according to the local authority caps. If they can find a place with spare rooms that flies under the caps, then they can get that place.

Agreed it's ridiculous that pensioners are exempt, as by and large they're the ones causing all the problems by clogging up all the family houses.

Discretionary Housing Payments are not going to stetch very far at all. Councils are going to be faced with tough decisions about who gets them and who doesn't. Only the most desperate cases will succeed in getting them.

Holly you are misled but its totally understandable why the info is not out there in any useful way.

How it works is this

You have a HB claim lets say for ease sake your rent is £100 pw as off the first of April this year £14 pw was taken off you straight away for 1 room over and above what they say you need. ( along with several other amounts for different things) now about 4 weeks before 1/4 a court case was won by some families with disabled children ( the case had already been won but was appealed by the LA) that basically stated if you have a disabled child the LA has to asses the case for exemption they do not have to do anything other than asses.if medical evidence can be provided that confirms the none disabled child in question ( or if both are disabled the one who you decide not to apply for leaving you another chance to apply if turned down) would create unreasonable disturbance to sleep.

If they don't exempt they do have to justify why not and it can be appealed.

So that's children done.

On to adults no such exemption exists so the £14 gets taken off your award however you can make an application to the DHP/DHF this is a time limited none long term first come first served type of fund.

They also do not have to follow the normal benefit income assessing rules so can take Into account income that is normally protected from means testing even if it is already committed to care costs.if they want they can decide to say "nope you can do away with your carer or xyz"

Its intended to be used for people at risk of homelessness short term to allow them to move to more affordable housing and is in no way guaranteed to be awarded no matter how valid your case is.

Different LA's can decide there own criteria for payments historically its never been enough one of its prior usages was for under 25's with estrangement problems after they changed the rules for those. Each time they change the rules they boost the DHP but never enough to cover the fall out.

Most disabled adults will get turned down unless they have professional help to apply same as all the other disability related benefits. But with the DHP there is no real challenge and no real rules they have to follow.