Post by nickd on Jun 8, 2012 22:59:06 GMT 1
DWP set to overturn special Housing Benefit
rules for disabled
The 2 bedroom rule is to protect disabled claimants who have carers to stay - now DWP wants to overturn it!
From an Inside Housing article
DWP appealing over bedroom tax ruling
8 June 2012 | By Carl Brown
The government is trying to overturn a court ruling that could force changes to the controversial bedroom tax policy.
A Court of Appeal ruling last month found that housing benefit rules discriminate against disabled people. The Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, which restrict housing benefit for private renters according to property size, were found to be discriminatory because they do not allow benefit for an extra room where two children cannot share because of disabilities.
The ruling may mean the Department for Work and Pensions has to alter its controversial bedroom tax policy. The policy will see housing benefit cut for underoccupying social housing tenants of working age.
The DWP has today confirmed it is seeking to overturn the decision.
A spokesperson for the DWP said: ‘We have made an application for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal and a response from the court is awaited.’
If the Court of Appeal refuses permission for the appeal, the DWP will be left with the choice of appealing to the Supreme Court, altering the bedroom tax regulations or making more funding available to remove the discrimination.
www.insidehousing.co.uk/dwp-appealing-over-bedroom-tax-ruling/6522249.article
rules for disabled
The 2 bedroom rule is to protect disabled claimants who have carers to stay - now DWP wants to overturn it!
From an Inside Housing article
DWP appealing over bedroom tax ruling
8 June 2012 | By Carl Brown
The government is trying to overturn a court ruling that could force changes to the controversial bedroom tax policy.
A Court of Appeal ruling last month found that housing benefit rules discriminate against disabled people. The Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, which restrict housing benefit for private renters according to property size, were found to be discriminatory because they do not allow benefit for an extra room where two children cannot share because of disabilities.
The ruling may mean the Department for Work and Pensions has to alter its controversial bedroom tax policy. The policy will see housing benefit cut for underoccupying social housing tenants of working age.
The DWP has today confirmed it is seeking to overturn the decision.
A spokesperson for the DWP said: ‘We have made an application for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal and a response from the court is awaited.’
If the Court of Appeal refuses permission for the appeal, the DWP will be left with the choice of appealing to the Supreme Court, altering the bedroom tax regulations or making more funding available to remove the discrimination.
www.insidehousing.co.uk/dwp-appealing-over-bedroom-tax-ruling/6522249.article