Get help and don't ignore the Bedroom Tax

PROTESTS have been taking place up and down the country about the controversial Bedroom Tax which will see people on benefits with a spare room have their money cut.

The Yeovil-based Yarlington Housing Group is urging its tenants to get in touch if they are worried about being hit by the controversial Bedroom Tax.

People in the Yeovil and South Somerset area are being urged to speak up and speak out about the envisaged problems which will be caused by the latest tax on those who can probably not afford it.

More than 1,000 families across South Somerset will have to pay more rent or move when the under-occupancy penalty, more commonly known as the Bedroom Tax, becomes operational on April 1.

A total of 1,061 people across the district will lose just over £600 in housing benefit if they have one spare bedroom in their council or housing association home, while that figure will rise to more than £1,000 if they have two or more unused bedrooms.

Housing provider Yarlington has been preparing for the change over recent months – encouraging all its tenants who are affected by the changes to get in touch to see what help is available.

Incomes manager Jim Bruckel said: “We have a number of measures in place. We have been running a campaign to help people who may not be able to afford to remain in their current homes to move into smaller properties and also offer budgeting advice to them.

“The Bedroom Tax is one of a number of changes being brought about by welfare reform – the Council Tax reform also takes effect on April 1 – so it is vital anyone who is worried they may be affected gets in touch with us as soon as they can and doesn’t leave it until the changes come into force.”

PHOTO: Cllr Ric Pallister - leader of South Somerset District Council.

Leader of South Somerset District Council, Cllr Ric Pallister, has been critical of the move because, although pensioners are exempt from the new rules, it did not take into account various circumstances such as disability or medical reasons.

He said there were case studies across the district which showed that people needed that ‘spare’ room, but was urging those to come forward and speak out to the media about the problems which the Bedroom Tax will cause.

Cllr Pallister said: “Unless you are a pensioner, there are no exceptions to this and people will find that they are going to have to find extra money from somewhere or they are going to have to move into smaller homes. It hasn’t been thought through – there are so many problems with this.

“But we need people to come forward and speak out about this to show to the authorities what the problems are.”

Cllr Pallister said he was worried many tenants were ignoring the letters of advice and were ‘pushing them under the settee.’

Tags:
News.