Press Release 14th January 2013,

Bedroom Tax Blunder

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has written to housing associations in Inverclyde to see how many tenants have been wrongly identified as liable for the Bedroom Tax.

It follows the revelation of a legal loophole which exempts tenants who have been claiming housing benefit since 1 January 1996 and have been living in the same house since that date.

The gap in the law was overlooked by the UK Department for Work and Pensions when legislating for the Bedroom tax.

Duncan McNeil said:

“Because the Department for Work and Pensions failed to do its homework, it appears that a number of tenants may have needlessly suffered.”

“I have been informed by River Clyde Homes that a review is underway to find out exactly how many people have been wrongly identified as liable for the Bedroom Tax. I will also be asking the different housing associations’ to work together to ensure this problem is resolved as soon as possible and that anyone who is entitled to a refund is fully reimbursed”.

“I would urge anyone who believes that they may be entitled to a refund to contact their housing association”.