Bedroom tax help is too difficult, claimant says

A FUND to help those affected by the “bedroom tax” is too complicated and will put off people from applying, according to one mother.

Nichola Murphy, aged 35, says the forms for the Discretionary Housing Payment are too detailed and stopped her from continuing with the application.

Bury Council has been granted a budget of £324,003 to cover applications from exempt social housing tenants, people who are disabled, fosterers or parents of armed forces personnel.

Miss Murphy, of Polefield Circle, Prestwich, has been declared unfit to work and is medically retired, after suffering from diabetes and osteoporosis, and using a wheelchair after suffering several falls, recently breaking her wrist.

She said: “It asks for everything. It might as well as ask me when I last coloured my hair. You only get it for a few months, and I just thought what is the point?”

Cllr Rishi Shori, cabinet member for adult care, health and housing, later admitted there was an issue and said he would arrange for help to be offered to Miss Murphy in completing the documents.

He said: “We don’t want a situation where people who are entitled to the fund are not applying. We want to ensure people get the help that they need.”

 

By Andrew Bardsley in the  ‘Bury Times’ 28th June 2013: http://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/10511774._Bedroom_tax__help_is_too_difficult__claimant_says/