Disabled People Cutting Back On Food or Bills to Pay Bedroom Tax

Nine in 10 disabled people in social housing are cutting back on buying food and medical supplies as the government's controversial bedroom tax begins to bite, a new survey has revealed.  The report, from charity the Papworth Trust, says that disabled tenants are making cuts across a range of essentials if they are refused discretionary housing payments (DHPs) to help them cope with the under-occupancy policy.  And data collected from 24 local authorities shows that three in ten (29%) disabled people hit by the charges have been refused DHPs so far. Of those refused DHPs:

• 90% are cutting back on food or bills.

• 37% are cutting back on specialist mobility transport.

• 27% are cutting back on medical expenses such as medication, therapies and monitoring health conditions.

Read more on the Papworth Trust website.