Capability Scotland report reveals devastating impact of bedroom tax on disabled Scots
By News Scotland

Disabled Scots are going without essentials such as food, heating and clothes to make up for the loss in their income caused by the ‘bedroom tax’ according to Capability Scotland.

That’s just one of the findings of new research published today (3rd June) by the disability charity.  The organisation commissioned the research to find out what impact changes to housing benefits, introduced in April, would have on disabled people.

The findings will now be submitted to the Scottish Affairs Committee for them to consider as part of their inquiry into the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’ in Scotland.

Almost a quarter of disabled people who took part in the Capability Scotland research said that their housing benefit would be cut as a result of the ‘bedroom tax’. The ‘bedroom tax’ or under-occupancy charge puts a cap on the amount of benefit a person can receive if they are deemed to have a ‘spare’ room.

Those most likely to be affected are couples who need to sleep in separate rooms because of a disability or who need the room to store bulky, disability related equipment such as powered wheelchairs, hoists, walkers and frames.

Only 5% of the disabled respondents felt their house was currently too big. 87% said that they believed that it was unrealistic to move to a smaller property due to a shortage of smaller, accessible properties.

The research also showed that disabled people won’t be the only ones losing out financially because of the ‘bedroom tax’.  Local authority money which has already been spent on aids and adaptations could go to waste as a result of the reforms. 84% of respondents said their home had been specifically adapted to meet their needs.

Dana O’Dwyer, Chief Executive of Capability Scotland said: “It’s blatantly obvious that the UK Government has not thought this reform through properly.  We are facing a situation where people are being forced out of homes which have been specifically adapted to meet their needs, into smaller properties which will then also need to be adapted to make them accessible.

“We hope that the Scottish Affairs Committee will consider this report carefully and do everything in its power to mitigate the effects of this appalling ‘tax’ for disabled people and their families in Scotland.”

To download the report, visit:

http://www.capability-scotland.org.uk/what-is-capability-doing-for-me-now/campaigns/rapid-response-reports/squeezed-out/