Bedroom tax

[MicrosoftBob]

1) probably has £200K in equity. Does someone with £200K really need benefits?

Well they could sell up, blow the money on wine, drugs and hookers and waste the rest, and then claim benefits

[psychocandy]

While I agree with the subsidy removal, it still seems a bit tough for someone to be thrown out of their family home after 25 years, as could happen.

Depends on circumstance. If you've been jobless for those 25 years then you cant moan now, can you?

If its the same as the mortgage thing above then yes, I agree, its the same.

[psychocandy]

1) probably has £200K in equity. Does someone with £200K really need benefits?

Maybe but its not readily available.

I admit, if you're on the dole for months and months then you have to make longer term plans and some hard decisions.

But someone shouldn't be shafted from day one when they need a bit of temporary help for a few months when there are people living the life of riley where everything is paid for them.

I've got a nephew. Never worked and neither has his mrs. No intention of doing so. Got a couple of kids. They moan like hell that the council give them a top floor flat and its not good enough, the kids needs a garden to play in etc.

Jeez. You've got a roof over your head for free FFS. If you want the nicer things in life get off your backside.

[The Spartan]

Well they could sell up, blow the money on wine, drugs and hookers and waste the rest, and then claim benefits

Sounds like a fantastic plan to me

[MrMarkyMark]

Anyway, family member is without a job. He lives alone in a rented 2 bed flat. So of course, I assumed this so called bedroom tax would apply because he only needs one bedroom.
I've got a nephew. Never worked and neither has his mrs. No intention of doing so..

You've talked about your brother in law, before.
Can I ask, are all your family on the dole?

Maybe, its genetic and you are affected, less than most

[MrMarkyMark]

FTFY

Well they could sell up, call me and I would help them blow the money on wine, drugs and hookers and waste the rest, and then claim benefits

[SueEllen]

While I agree with the subsidy removal, it still seems a bit tough for someone to be thrown out of their family home after 25 years, as could happen.

However it doesn't work like that as:
1. OAPs are exempt
2. Most of the smaller properties in areas of acute housing shortage are for OAPs

So what happens is they penalise someone in their mid to late 50's, but once that person turns between 62-65 they are an OAP and there is a property they can move into.

BTW I know 2 guys this has happened to but another few OAPs who have not had to move at all even though their properties are 2+ bedrooms.

[vetran]

However it doesn't work like that as:
1. OAPs are exempt
2. Most of the smaller properties in areas of acute housing shortage are for OAPs

So what happens is they penalise someone in their mid to late 50's, but once that person turns between 62-65 they are an OAP and there is a property they can move into.

BTW I know 2 guys this has happened to but another few OAPs who have not had to move at all even though their properties are 2+ bedrooms.

sounds about right, I'm shocked when the civil service or politicians get anything right.

[SueEllen]

sounds about right, I'm shocked when the civil service or politicians get anything right.

Things always look good on paper especially if you don't bother consulting the local government association....

[NickFitz]

There is a miserable pittance for each local council that doesn't come anywhere near covering such deserving cases.

FTFY