Earlier this month, we told you there had been a blow in the fight against the controversial tax after the UK Government failed to lift the cap on Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) — an emergency fund for tenants affected by the tax — in the chancellor’s Budget announcement.

Previously, the Scottish Government had promised to commit a further £12 million into the DHP pot, taking it to £35 million, to fully mitigate the effects of the tax if the cap was raised.

It had been feared that, despite the commitment, the extra funding would no longer be available.

However, last week West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) confirmed that Margaret Burgess, welfare minister, had written to them to confirm the money would be made available.

The news comes after one resident from the area, who did not want to be named, told us he was getting increasingly desperate in the face of the tax.

He said: “There’s something not right about this, the people in charge are saying you are going to pay this, and if they can get away with this they’ll get away with it. I don’t know where this goes now and I don’t know who to turn to anymore.

“Other things are important too. I’ve got to get food, pay for bills and keep the house warm.

“Cameron and that are quite happy sitting in their big mansions with hundreds of acres of ground making decisions that push the poor elements of society into the ground, it’s totally wrong.

“Unless people are in this situation they won’t understand it.” Speaking to the Reporter, Dumbarton and Vale MSP Jackie Baillie (left) says while this is good news for the area’s residents, it’s vital those tenants affected continue to apply for the financial aid available to them.

The MSP said: “We need to make sure that everyone affected knows that this money is available. West Dunbartonshire Council needs to make sure that those in need are getting this money.

“If you are affected by the Bedroom Tax — apply to the council for these payments. Don’t wait — there is a solution available now.

“While the campaign to effectively end the Bedroom Tax in Scotland has been victorious, we need to get this awful tax repealed. We need it abolished properly and across the whole of Britain.” A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council confirmed it was too early a stage to know how the extra money would be distributed but that tenants were still able to apply for DHP.

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan (below) still believes DHP is the best way to distribute the extra cash to those in need.

He said: “The best way to provide funding to tenants is through Discretionary Housing Payments and for this to work we need the UK Government to lift the cap on how much councils can contribute to the DHP. Once this cap is lifted the Scottish Government will provide the full funding necessary to mitigate the Bedroom Tax.

“The DHP is the best route as it allows the Bedroom Tax element of their rent to be paid as soon as their DHP application has been processed. It does not involve tenants building up rent arrears and the subsequent stress and anxiety connected with that.

“However, it is important that all tenants facing Bedroom Tax debts apply for the DHP as soon as possible to make sure they get the help which is available.” For more information, phone the contact centre on 01389 738282 for an application form or complete the form online at www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/dhp.