Stop the bedroom tax - petition

[Kashul 10]

OK, so two stories within my social group, both being affected by this tax.

 

Number 1

 

Mother of three, children now all grown and left home she unable to find work so is on benefits, she doesn't qualify for pension yet, she also has some medical issues which prevent her from working in certain areas. She has got herself into rent arrears trying to live, pay off debt, and has next to nothing to live on and heat her home etc.

 

Now then, she has rent arrears, she has asked her housing assoc to see if they can move her to a one bedroomed property so she can start paying off arrears and be able to heat her home and feed herself properly....Response was...No we wont move you until you have paid off your arrears !

 

Now she has the bedroom tax and will be falling into even more debt !

 

What sense does this make to leave her in a 3 bed house that she cannot afford and put her into a more dire situation by charging her even more for the extra 2 bedrooms ? The HA has no sympathy for her or interest in looking for a smaller place for her, the way they are handling this will leave her in even more debt than she is in now, she is between a rock and a hard place !

 

Number 2

 

Young couple, two very young children. He couldn't find work so via the dwp accepted an apprenticeship paying a couple of quid an hour, he was grateful for the job and took it willingly. She is looking after their two young children and attending college to gain further qualifications so she can access work.

 

They applied for social housing and were told to bid on a three bedroom property back in October last year, they moved in and although struggling to make ends meet they have kept up to date with bills....just about !

 

This week they have been told they will have to pay an extra £100 a month for rent and bedroom tax, when they mentioned to the lady informing them of the new cost that the council had told them they could have a three bed, her response was well you should have gone for a two bed. Their son and daughter would be expected to share a room until they are 11 ?

 

This means less money to feed their children and heat their home...

 

I just don't get this tax and I don't get how vulnerable people are constantly being hit, it is just cruel on so many counts.

[Cyclone 10]

That just seems to be a lot of rhetoric about "fighting" as if benefit claimants have something they can withdraw. A worker can go on strike. Not a recommended course of action at the moment but they can withdraw their labour. Someone reliant on their taxpaying neighbours for everything is going to withdraw what?

 

Their vote at the next election? Civil obedience? Those are about the only things I can think of.

 

Kashul - how is it a £100/month extra?

Edited March 21, 2013 by Cyclone

[Kashul 10]

15 pounds a week for the box room and 10 a week increase in their rent. They live in Killamarsh. Thats a 100 a month

[geared 298]

Is the 10 a week increase in rent tax or just rent increase due to inflation tho?

 

oh and person 1 maybe look at declaring bankruptcy if debts cannot be paid?

Person 2, probably would earn more if both were unemployed ?

[Cpt7 10]

OK, so two stories within my social group, both being affected by this tax.

 

Number 1

 

Mother of three, children now all grown and left home she unable to find work so is on benefits, she doesn't qualify for pension yet, she also has some medical issues which prevent her from working in certain areas. She has got herself into rent arrears trying to live, pay off debt, and has next to nothing to live on and heat her home etc.

 

Now then, she has rent arrears, she has asked her housing assoc to see if they can move her to a one bedroomed property so she can start paying off arrears and be able to heat her home and feed herself properly....Response was...No we wont move you until you have paid off your arrears !

 

Now she has the bedroom tax and will be falling into even more debt !

 

What sense does this make to leave her in a 3 bed house that she cannot afford and put her into a more dire situation by charging her even more for the extra 2 bedrooms ? The HA has no sympathy for her or interest in looking for a smaller place for her, the way they are handling this will leave her in even more debt than she is in now, she is between a rock and a hard place !

 

Number 2

 

Young couple, two very young children. He couldn't find work so via the dwp accepted an apprenticeship paying a couple of quid an hour, he was grateful for the job and took it willingly. She is looking after their two young children and attending college to gain further qualifications so she can access work.

 

They applied for social housing and were told to bid on a three bedroom property back in October last year, they moved in and although struggling to make ends meet they have kept up to date with bills....just about !

 

This week they have been told they will have to pay an extra £100 a month for rent and bedroom tax, when they mentioned to the lady informing them of the new cost that the council had told them they could have a three bed, her response was well you should have gone for a two bed. Their son and daughter would be expected to share a room until they are 11 ?

 

This means less money to feed their children and heat their home...

 

I just don't get this tax and I don't get how vulnerable people are constantly being hit, it is just cruel on so many counts.

 

Story 1:

It is possible for her to move with special circumstances under the under occupation scheme.

 

Story2:

If they signed for the property in October last year then they would have been informed of the impending under occupancy changes, and would have signed a form stating they were aware of this and would be able to pay the extra.

[Ministry88 10]

First they came for the communists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

 

Then they came for the socialists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

 

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

 

Then they came for the Jews,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

 

Then they came for the Catholics,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Catholic.

 

Then they came for me,

and there was no one left to speak for me

 

 

 

Just what I was thinking

[Itrytoplease 10]

Can anyone tell me at what age are you regarded as a pensioner and thereby don't have to pay the bedroom tax? Even the government own web site seems a little vague.

[Chez2 10]

Can anyone tell me at what age are you regarded as a pensioner and thereby don't have to pay the bedroom tax? Even the government own web site seems a little vague.

 

Isn't it the age you can draw your pension? I can't see how they can say pensioner and not apply it to anyone of pensionable age.

[pottedplant 10]

Isn't it the age you can draw your pension? I can't see how they can say pensioner and not apply it to anyone of pensionable age.

 

State pension age though I presume ? not any private pension age?

[Chez2 10]

State pension age though I presume ? not any private pension age?

 

Yes, the date you are officially a pensioner as per the Government. Private pensions have nothing to do with the 'official' pension age.

[kidley 48]

you are classed as a pensioner at 60 the same as a woman in these circumstances, as with bus passer's etc.

[stressconsul 10]

you are classed as a pensioner at 60 the same as a woman in these circumstances, as with bus passer's etc.

 

Is this correct? I know that women due to receive a pension between 60 and 65 don't get a bus pass at 60 but must wait until their official pension age.