HUNDREDS of families who include a disabled person are among nearly 2,300 households in Derby to see their benefits cut by the so-called bedroom tax.
New Government statistics show that 8,064 Derbyshire households, including 2,298 in Derby, are affected by the under-occupancy charge.
And Derby Homes, the city council's social housing arm, has said that, of its 1,389 tenants affected, 220 are from households including a disabled person.
The charge, introduced by the Government, is designed to encourage people in social housing to downsize and so free up empty bedrooms.
People lose 14% of their housing benefit per week for under-occupying by one room and 25% for having two or more spare bedrooms.
The Government has come under fire due to the lack of smaller properties available for people to move into.
And its effect on disabled people is now drawing further criticism.
Labour city councillor Paul Pegg, who is campaigning against the charge, said he was particularly concerned about affected families with disabled children.
He said they may need a spare room for medical equipment or so a carer can provide respite by staying overnight.
Mr Pegg said a rule which means two children under 10 have to share a bedroom, regardless of gender, can be difficult for those where one sibling is disabled.
He said: "The situation could cause problems during the night and you might need to put one in another room so they can get some rest.
"To aim this at the most vulnerable in society is a total disgrace."
A Derby Homes spokeswoman said disabled people were sometimes less likely to find a smaller property because of the adaptations they need.
She said affected disabled tenants had been given help "applying for discretionary housing benefit payments and budgeting advice to maximise income".
The National Housing Federation's East Midlands external affairs manager, Kate Warburton, said the high numbers of people affected in the region showed there was a shortage of homes to downsize to.
She said: "The Government says discretionary housing payments will help those who cannot downsize but there isn't anywhere near enough money."
'A NECESSARY RETURN TO FAIRNESS'THE Government says the under-occupancy charge is a "necessary reform that will return fairness to housing benefit".
A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We have given councils £190 million to make sure those in need, including disabled people, are supported through welfare reforms and we are confident the pot will provide the right help."
She added: "The taxpayer can no longer afford to pay for spare bedrooms."
The Government says it is important to remember that disabled people affected by the policy may be in work, or capable of moving into work, and may be in receipt of other benefits.
Elsewhere in the county, 804 are affected by the under-occupancy charge in Amber Valley, 735 in Erewash, 408 in South Derbyshire and 337 in Derbyshire Dales.
