Council Tax Support 500% increase in Council Tax - not so supportive

princessdon

nannytone wrote: »

but because i have a second bedroom that i dont need or want ( but there is no alternative(... its ok to charge me?

im living on freash air as it is!

but never mind im oly a disabled person that paid into the system for 30 years

The issue of no 1 bedrooms is nothing to do with your disability. It surely affects everyone in a 2 bed doesn't it? Those on JSA with £71 a week too for example.

CIS

Now I'm confused because surely if you look at the Council tax exemptions (regardless of benefit) then many people are still going to be exempt if I've got that right???

That's correct - the only exemptions being altered are in respect of unoccupied properties (and even then only the Class A and C exemptions).

mysterywoman10

Other poster has now clarified the above a bit because I wasn't clear on it.

I can see your point about a fine line princesdom but surely if you do sleep in separate rooms then isn't this what defines it? I do think it needs to be tied into DLA care in some way i.e. higher rate care.

It had to go to court because the government had ruled otherwise and the LA's were powerless to do anything about the 2nd bedroom.

But that doesn't help someone like Nanny through no fault of her own is in a two bedroomed property and can't move does it? Or if she did her whole life would be turned upside down?

nannytone_2

these reforms in benefit are 'life changing ' for many.
dont under esti8mate the importance of emotional support. a problem shared ....

i am dealing with ab £82 a month rediction in benefit. and yes um freaking out.
if someone overnight tool away over 20% of youe income do you think it would just be a minor blip?

princessdon

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

It clearly is a disability, but with all due respect and I'm not deaming it in any way, it is far more likely that the people who you know and mix with are less likely to be effected by the Council Tax benefit cut than say someone who mainly came into contact with very severe disabilities?

So I still don't see the point? Many people with disabilities will be exempt from being counted if they work. But yet those that don't work will be expected to pay? Now I'm confused because surely if you look at the Council tax exemptions (regardless of benefit) then many people are still going to be exempt if I've got that right???

Absolutely I know very very few with severe disabilities. (hence why I said who I know).

The point is that the CTB reduction isn't targeting disabled, it is targeting all low incomes. Sure some disabled are in that group (especially as some can't work), but there are many who do work, many whose children are disabled and yet do work.

If the issue is should low incomes not be expected to pay what for some is 30%, absolutely not. Hence, why despite not being affected I campaigned locally for £1 a week as an option, as I recognise that this is low income problem but it isn't a disability problem, the two are separate, especially when even at the worst case scenario people on ESA get a higher rate than JSA.

nannytone_2

princessdon wrote: »

The issue of no 1 bedrooms is nothing to do with your disability. It surely affects everyone in a 2 bed doesn't it? Those on JSA with £71 a week too for example.

never mind then ... i'll just shut up and pay

mysterywoman10

Except those on JSA can more easily get a job than Nanny can!! That's assuming there is this mass of jobs for everyone to find. So having a disabilty is a greater barrier to working (depending on the disability of course).

But loosing your sight in your 40's is a pretty difficult obstacle to working!

nannytone_2

the fact that i affects mainly disabled people seems to be lost on you!

mysterywoman10

Yes you are correct princessdom the low incomes are the hardest hit, regardless of disability, I think it just compounds it if you fall in the non exempt category like Nanny and have the bedroom tax to contend with as well.

To clarify the lowest incomes (unlike the bedroom tax) are probably a higher percentage overall than the disability factor. And no I don't have the figures

princessdon

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

Except those on JSA can more easily get a job than Nanny can!! That's assuming there is this mass of jobs for everyone to find. So having a disabilty is a greater barrier to working (depending on the disability of course).

But loosing your sight in your 40's is a pretty difficult obstacle to working!

They tell me there are no jobs, it's seen on here over and over again (not that I agree there are no jobs, but on here people do say that). Another argument is that those on ESA can do permitted work and keep benefits so those who are not totally unable to work can do Self Employment and part time work.

I am not without sympathy for those who are disabled, but my sympathy isn't going to change a thing, nor can I make them build 1 bedrooms.

If they didn't treat Private Rentals less favourably I'd support more, but as I have repeatedly said I cannot support 1 group over another.

Take the U turn on armed forces and foster carers, is this going to apply to Private?

As with the CTB. It is equal as affects both groups but it's a postcode lottery and that is rather unfair too.