ESA appeal and "bedroom tax" double whammy!

Own_My_Own

mazza111 wrote: »

Sorry but that probably is WRONG!

There are many people that are on ESA that don't get DLA. I am unable to work, but do not get, nor would apply for DLA. As I don't feel I'm quite there yet. And yes. ESA can pay a little more than JSA, but not as much as you're making out.

Not applying for DLA is your choice, no one else's.

And as I have said, and will say again, I wish no-one heartache.

But having 50 threads about this is not going to change anything.

I will have to pay more council tax from April. It is just the way it is, and I am just going to get on with it. I am not going to start a thread saying how terrible it is, and how could this Government do this to me.

princessdon

nannytone wrote: »

not every disability attracts the higher rates of benefit.
not only is housing benefit decreasin, but so is council tax benefit, and with PIP rolling out, there is every possibility that more benefit entitlement will be lost.

higer rates of benefit is paid to thos unable to work, because historically it has been understood that we have no choice in our circumstances, and that we deserve a quality of life as we are in no position to be able to help ourselves.

now we are being put in a position where are having to make choicesabout which necessity we cant afford each month.

i looked for one bed social housing in my area ( rural, and covering a very large area) being blind, familiarity is a big need for me. i wouldnt be able to sope in an unfamiliar place, without the support i have where i live now. but out of interest, i cevered the whole of my district councils area.

there were 3 properties. 1 bedsit and 2 sheltered housing for pensioners.

wheres the choice?

But someone with hypothetically the exact same issues in private rental would face the same issues. They have insecure tenancies, bonds, mercy of landlord etc.

If disability is the "factor" then the stance is ALL disabilities are entitled to SH for any number of rooms, based on disability. Then apply to private sector.

That isn't realistic. There isn't money on the pot. Unemployment, high benefit rates (pensioners and children being the main ones) means there isn't the same support as there was. Couple this with selling the social housing stock and you have where we are today.

nannytone_2

but is your rent top up and council tax going to cost 15% of your total household income?

nannytone_2

princessdon wrote: »

But someone with hypothetically the exact same issues in private rental would face the same issues. They have insecure tenancies, bonds, mercy of landlord etc.

If disability is the "factor" then the stance is ALL disabilities are entitled to SH for any number of rooms, based on disability. Then apply to private sector.

That isn't realistic. There isn't money on the pot. Unemployment, high benefit rates (pensioners and children being the main ones) means there isn't the same support as there was. Couple this with selling the social housing stock and you have where we are today.

plus the fact that they still arent building 1 bedroomed social housing. i am not in a 2 bed through choice, but because it was all that was available to me.
and ues, i think disabled people should have priority in regards to social housing.

families CHOOSE to have children, and also attract higher levels of benefit.

as ive said previously ... disabled people have NO choice, and their limited options agre getting fewer and fewer by the day

Own_My_Own

nannytone wrote: »

but is your rent top up and council tax going to cost 15% of your total household income?

If I did not work my income would be £153.39 a week .

The amount of rent I would need to pay would be £24.23 a week

My council tax would be paid fully until April.

I make this over 15% before council tax. But a lot more after April.

ETA -I have to pay an extra £11.25 a week as my son is on ESA, but he gives me this.

princessdon

nannytone wrote: »

plus the fact that they still arent building 1 bedroomed social housing. i am not in a 2 bed through choice, but because it was all that was available to me.
and ues, i think disabled people should have priority in regards to social housing.

families CHOOSE to have children, and also attract higher levels of benefit.

as ive said previously ... disabled people have NO choice, and their limited options agre getting fewer and fewer by the day

But people have children THEN find themselves in benefits, SOME disabled contribute towards this via lifestyle so have a choice).

The argument that SH should be only available to disabled is a whole other subject, but one I'd like to see implemented. My gran waited many years for her flat.

princessdon

nannytone wrote: »

plus the fact that they still arent building 1 bedroomed social housing. i am not in a 2 bed through choice, but because it was all that was available to me.
and ues, i think disabled people should have priority in regards to social housing.

families CHOOSE to have children, and also attract higher levels of benefit.

as ive said previously ... disabled people have NO choice, and their limited options agre getting fewer and fewer by the day

Also 2 bed SH is all that was available. You opted for SH and its security. 18 mos ago you could have looked at private rental and didnt.

hockeylass

Wow guys sory for causing such a ruckus! It is a very emotive issue and one which strikes fear into those who don't have much of an income, and no way out to generate one. My mother is suffering because she knows there is no way for her to better herself, get herself into a better position. She is beholdent to whatever the government deem is fit, and lets all be honest, it's not ever going to match the rising cost of living. She doesn't go out, barely buys herself anything and barely eats, and still is penniless.

Mazza111 thanks very much for your advice. Myself and my sister do take turns to stay over nowadays as her health deteriorates, just to help her with the everyday things. Thankfully we all live close by to one another which makes things easier. The discretionary housing thing sounds like a positive avenue too. Hopefully all of this will provide some comfort to her, sadly she's very wary of anything and I've had to explain things over and over because she's so convinced they are going to force her into some workhouse-type employment!

It sounds dramatic on her part but I can understand how scary it must be to be in her position. She lives in a world of pain and is emotionally very fragile as a result.

nannytone_2

Own_My_Own wrote: »

If I did not work my income would be £153.39 a week .

The amount of rent I would need to pay would be £24.23 a week

My council tax would be paid fully until April.

I make this over 15% before council tax. But a lot more after April.

ETA -I have to pay an extra £11.25 a week as my son is on ESA, but he gives me this.

so without your sons ESA you would be on £153?

nannytone_2

princessdon wrote: »

Also 2 bed SH is all that was available. You opted for SH and its security. 18 mos ago you could have looked at private rental and didnt.

i was 4 days from being homeless.
there were no 1 bed private lets available either.

since the reduction in housing benefit has been announced, the rent of the only privaye 1 bed place that regularly comes up for rent ( no one stays for more than a month or two, so there must be an issue with it) has risen to $110. the LHA rate is £75,

so dont assu,e there was any choice involed. it was either this property or a hostel in the nearest larghe town , 10 miles away.