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Leeds bedroom tax campaigners took their fight back to court yesterday in support of a tenant threatened with eviction.
Hands Off Our Homes staged a solidarity protest outside the city's Crown Court in support of Charles Cunningham, who faces being chucked out of his home by housing association Sanctuary.
Mr Cunningham, a long-term depression sufferer, was stripped of his ESA benefit by back to work assessors Atos.
His housing benefit was suspended and he fell into arrears.
This is the third time he has lost his benefit due to an Atos assessment. Having successfully appealed twice he is once more challenging the decision.
But he has rent arrears of around £700 and has had his benefit cut under the bedroom tax.
"They now want £11 odd a week off me in bedroom tax and I can't afford it," he said.
"I admit I put it off and put it off but I have depression and don't really leave the house.
"Thanks to Hands Off Our Homes I've found out I can claim discretionary housing payment (DHP), which I didn't know about."
Speaking outside the court, Hands off our Homes activist and council tenant Liz Kitching said Mr Cunningham's case was far from unique.
She said that under the bedroom tax they were seeing notices of intention to seek possession for arrears of just £200.
"Its staggering," she said, "particularly since Labour councils have said they disagree with the tax but Leeds County Council are vigorously pursuing it."
Ms Kitching herself is subject to the tax but has successfully applied for DHP.
"I am a grandmother of four, one of whom is disabled. I have two daughters who are single parents and I have chronic health problems," she told the Star.
"I worked for 34 years to bring up a family. I contributed my taxes. It's very stressful and frightening. I have been thrust into the role of campaigner."
The case was adjourned for 42 days and Mr Cunningham agreed to pay £3.60 per week until then.
Hands Off Our Homes won a significant victory earlier this year when a man from Bramley was given a six-month extension after being threatened with imminent eviction.
