A mum-of-three has been left feeling “punished” after being rejected for social housing due to her children’s disability payments putting her over the threshold for support.
Nadia Etheridge, from Stourport, has accused the council of “unlawfully inflating” her household income by counting her children’s disability payments as earnings.
She said: “I went to the council as my privately rented property is in a state of disrepair. The council had to come out and have a look as there was a hole in the floor for two months. My three-year-old’s leg was going down it constantly, and it was really unsafe.
“It took them over a month to approve my application for social housing and I was put on the lowest banding.
“I was then told I was over the threshold for support, but the only way I could be over the threshold is by them counting the disability payments I receive for my children, including DLA and the disabled child element of Universal Credit.”
The 39-year-old, who is a full-time carer for two children with complex medical needs, said she has now been pushed towards private housing she is unable to secure.
She said she quoted the equality and disability act to the housing provider, but was told it was “policy” to include disability payments in housing income assessments.
Wyre Forest District Council said its Home Choice Allocation Policy considers overall household income, including benefits, but also recognises essential extra costs linked to disability or exceptional circumstances.
Ms Etheridge believes it is unfair to include disability payments in her assessment as the money is not disposable income.
She said: “They’ve used it all against us and told me I’m now over the threshold. It feels like I’m being punished for caring for my disabled children.
“I’ve already got enough to deal with as my children have complex medical needs. They didn’t choose to be disabled – it feels like discrimination.
“Disability payments shouldn’t come into consideration. I want the opportunity to show them what I use the payments for. I use it for fuel, parking, hospital trips and one of my children needs a special diet. It also isn’t cheap getting to Birmingham.
“They know full well I can’t get a private tenancy.
“They’re using every excuse to avoid helping us.”
Nadia Etheridge is trying to find a suitable home with her three children (Image: Supplied)
Ms Etheridge also needs a more suitable property due to the lack of parking outside her current home.
She also needs to remain in the Stourport area for her son’s school, where the staff have been specially trained to understand his medical needs.
She said: “I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. There is currently no parking where I live, and I can’t apply for a disabled parking spot as it’s not policed by me. I never know when I might need to quickly get my son to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. It’s a case of jumping straight in the car and sometimes I get home and there’s nowhere to park.
“There are days when I’ve been in floods of tears. I just want a suitable home for my children and their needs.”
Ms Etheridge has requested a full breakdown of her income assessment and said she is prepared to escalate her complaint under the Equality Act and to the Housing Ombudsman.
She said: “I’m asking for fair treatment and for them to stop using my children’s disabilities against us.”
A spokesperson for Wyre Forest District Council said: “We know that finding a safe and suitable home can be extremely difficult, particularly for families managing disability-related needs and costs.
“The Wyre Forest Home Choice Allocation Policy considers overall household income, including benefits, but also recognises essential extra costs linked to disability or exceptional circumstances.
“Where evidenced, these costs are deducted so the assessment better reflects the household’s situation, as we understand that these payments are used to support day-to-day care needs.
“We also recognise that private rented accommodation may not always be suitable where specific property needs are linked to disability, and exceptions can be made in these circumstances.
“The full policy can be found on our website at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/housing-and-homes/homelessness/getting-a-home/housing-allocation-policy/
