A couple from Shirecliffe have beaten the bedroom tax.
The couple – who have lived in their Council home for 30 years – faced poverty as the bedroom tax took effect.
Both are severely disabled and the house had been fitted with a lift to the main bedroom. They had been offered a smaller bungalow but couldn’t manage the physical task of moving house. Douglas Johnson of Sheffield Law Centre, which helped them, said:
“The family wants to stay anonymou but they are very pleased with the result. We advised them that applying the bedroom tax could amount to unlawful disability discrimination so the Council shouldn’t do it.”
The Council has now agreed to introduce a new policy to discount bedrooms with a major adaptation like a lift shaft.
Douglas Johnson said about 70 families could benefit from this change.
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