The Citizens Advice Bureau in West Devon has seen a 20% increase in housing benefit issues between April and June.

One case study dealt with by the CAB involved a married couple in rented accommodation who had to move into two-bedroomed social housing after the husband was diagnosed with a long-term serious illness.

His wife had to give up work to care for him full-time and their only income was from disability allowance and carer's allowance. They received full housing benefit.

The housing benefit was reduced on the basis that they have two bedrooms, but need only one as they are a married couple. The fact that the husband's serious medical condition precludes them from sharing a bedroom is not a factor that can be taken into account. It means they have to find £14 a week to meet their rent out of the £152 a week they receive for daily living costs.

The CAB said that while the couple could apply for a discretionary housing payment from the council there were no guarantees they would be awarded anything and a successful claim would only top their benefit up for a maximum of six months.