Tenants urge minister to think again about 'bedroom tax'
A disabled woman and her partner have written to Work Secretary Iain Duncan Smith begging him to rethink plans to cut benefits for social housing tenants who are deemed to have a spare room.
Lisa suffers from Cerebral Palsy and requires around-the-clock care from her partner Brett.
The couple live in a specially-adapted bungalow, and under new government plans they may be required to pay £21.85 per week for their second bedroom.
Watch ITV News Reporter Sejal Karia's original report from Lisa and Brett's home:
Read more about Lisa and Brett's case here.
Their letter to Mr Duncan Smith points out they need the extra bedroom because Lisa's condition means they cannot share a bed:
Lisa and Brett believe they are being unfairly singled out because they are a couple, and therefore expected to share a bedroom.
They point out that if her main carer was a relative, rather than Brett, they would be entitled to keep their second bedroom.
"There are other people in my area who ... have their sister or mother providing their overnight care [so] they are not affected by the new changes, but because he is my partner we have to pay."
The Department for Work and Pensions responded to their letter advising them to check whether they are eligible for Discretionary Housing Payments to help them cover the cost.
The government says an extra £155 million has been set aside this year to help "vulnerable tenants", with £30 million specifically earmarked for disabled people and foster carers.