A FATHER who says he has "paid into the system" since leaving school has hit out at the welfare state for ignoring him when he needs help most.

Andrew Peacock who has multiple sclerosis (MS) leaving him unable to work, has been stung by the bedroom tax, leaving him hundreds of pounds in arrears

He has applied for discretionary housing benefit (DHP) — a pot of council cash to help vulnerable people — but his claim has been rejected.

Bolton Council says it has referred him to a money skills advisor as Mr Peacock's weekly outgoings seemed "unusually high".

Mr Peacock, a former car mechanic, who relies on a mobility scooter and walking aids, moved with his family into a rented three-bedroom home suited for a disabled person four years ago, after he could no longer afford mortgage payments on his previous property.

But he has since split with his partner and has now fallen victim to the bedroom tax meaning his housing benefit has been reduced due to "under occupancy", despite his five-year-old son staying with him regularly.

Mr Peacock, aged 50, who was diagnosed with MS in 2004 said: "I am £700 in arrears because of the bedroom tax.

"I have paid my taxes, I have never signed on or claimed in my life.

"When I was diagnosed with MS, I thought I had a safety net, which I had paid into.

“I am angry. I have grafted all my life."

Mr Peacock said that people are entitled to a quality of life.

He criticised the fact his son was expected to sleep on the sofa if he downsized because a two bedroom house would still mean being stung by the bedroom tax.

Mr Peacock is now being supported by Bedroom Against Bedroom Tax.

Linda Charnock from the group, said: “Andrew is currently in arrears and the stress of this is not helping his heath or emotional state, he is fearful of losing his home and his independence.

“The government has given local authorities money for the DHP to help people like Andrew to be able to stay in his home.

"Andrew has worked all his life from the age of 15 and never claimed any state benefits until he was struck down with MS.

"Andrew also has a right to family life and spend quality time with his son."

A council spokesman said: “All Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) claims are decided on a case by case basis taking into account a resident’s income and expenditure. In this case, the resident has some high levels of expenditure, so we have referred him to a money skills advisor for a full assessment.

“We will revisit his claim after this assessment.

“The resident has also been offered opportunities in the past to transfer to either a one bedroom or two bedroom property, but has refused these offers.”