The Government announced in January 2014 that bedroom tax cuts to housing benefit should not have been applied to certain people. The loophole applies to those people who have been claiming housing benefit, continuously for the same home for the past 17 years.
People affected include those who have been working for low wages or are long term sick or disabled. A refund may also be due if you took over a benefit claim when a partner or family member died or from an ex following a relationship breakdown.
If the loophole applies to you then all the money cut from your housing benefit since April 2013 should be refunded into your rent account. If you think you could be entitled to a refund then make sure you ask the council to review your housing benefit claim.
The Government is planning to close this loophole in early March 2014.