Family mourning death of boy in car crash ordered to pay Bedroom Tax because his room is now spare

Pay up: Adam and Dawn Chapman with children Ashton and Eva with a photograph of Caleb Hollow
SWNS
A family mourning the death of their son on the way to school are told they will have to downsize or pay the Bedroom Tax - because they now have a spare room.

Eleven-year-old Caleb Hollow lost his life almost exactly a year ago as he crossed a busy road in Hayle, Cornwall, to catch the bus.

He was airlifted to Treliske hospital in Truro and then Bristol with a serious brain injury. Doctors placed him in an induced coma as they fought to save him.

He was buried with the Arsenal strip he had asked Father Christmas for before he died.

Now mum Dawn says they have been through enough.

"It's been a tough year for us and this Christmas has been really, really hard.

"Then to receive this letter was just shocking, absolutely shocking. "It's not just our family home. When it was built it was my nan's house, my parents starting off when they were married in that house.

"Now they are saying we have to pay Bedroom Tax or downsize."

At the moment the Government expects her other children, Ashton and Eva, to share a room but, in a few years time, the rules mean the boy and girl will need to be separated again.

Dawn fears that could mean more upheaval: "We've been through so much - the children too - and to uproot and then to have to move again in five years time... the children have been through enough. We all have."

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Housing said: "We understand Mrs Chapman's concerns and we are committed to assisting all our residents who are affected by the implementation of the Government's welfare reforms.

"As a result of the Under Occupation Penalty which is part of these reforms Cornwall Council have applied the amended Housing Benefit regulations and reduced Mrs Chapman's Housing Benefit by 14% or just under £13 a week.

"This reduction took effect last month and the total amount charged to date is just under £38.

"Our teams have been in contact with Mrs Chapman to provide advice on how to apply to Cornwall Council for a Discretionary Housing Payment and we will continue to work closely with the family to explore a longer term solution that is acceptable to them.

"On a broader level, we have been working for several months to support residents affected by the Under Occupation Penalty helping them move home should they wish or assisting them with budgeting advice in order to remain in their current property.

"We've worked hard to keep our residents informed and supported over this period of change and will continue to work with people to ensure they have a suitable, affordable place to live, supporting families in every way we can."



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     Is there no end to this evil coalitions cruelty.

Surely the Government can use your tactic and simply go "It's the law"

Queen Of Hearts wrote:Surely the Government can use your tactic and simply go "It's the law"

so, do you think this is right???

grumpy old git wrote:

Queen Of Hearts wrote:Surely the Government can use your tactic and simply go "It's the law"

so, do you think this is right???

Did I say that?

Queen Of Hearts wrote:

grumpy old git wrote:

so, do you think this is right???

Did I say that?

no...which is why I asked you....you do know what a question is dont you??

grumpy old git wrote:

Queen Of Hearts wrote:

Did I say that?

no...which is why I asked you....you do know what a question is dont you??

I do know what a question is, yeah.

grumpy old git wrote:

Queen Of Hearts wrote:

Did I say that?

no...which is why I asked you....you do know what a question is dont you??

lol

Catman wrote:

grumpy old git wrote:

no...which is why I asked you....you do know what a question is dont you??

lol

I see you're very easily amused.

QoH = Master of evasions
 ://?roflmao?/: 

So distraught they got their political head on, called the newspapers and put gormless faces on for the camera.

Now pay up and stop tainting the memory of your poor lad!

BigAndy9 wrote:So distraught they got their political head on, called the newspapers and put gormless faces on for the camera.

Now pay up and stop tainting the memory of your poor lad!

What's wrong with telling the truth, and exposing what has happened to them....You RWhingers hate people telling the truth, when it goes against your political opinions.