Furious residents have accused Cannock Chase District Council of failing to protect the poor over benefit changes.
From next month 6,630 households are set to lose 20% of their Council Tax benefit and 25% of their housing benefit.
Cannock Chase Council will continue to provide help for the most vulnerable, but will have to collect extra revenue to make up for the shortfall in income.
Louise Thompson, 49 of Newmans Grove, Rugeley said the poor will suffer most as a result.
She said: “The unemployed, sick and families will all suffer due to the announced benefit changes.
“I am a carer who suffers from depression and other aliments, and because I live in a three bed room house on my own with my dog, I shall have to pay not only Council Tax, but 25% of my money for the bedroom tax.
“This policy is unfair, we are only given enough to live on in benefits, so how is it right that we must pay Council Tax as well? This lowers our income to below what the law states, it can mean the difference between eating or heating your home.
Miss Thompson believes Cannock Council should have absorbed the cuts and taken a stand for the most vulnerable.
She said: “The Council should have swallowed the cuts to their funding while the Government sorts their policy out.
“Councillors should have taken a stand to protect us they should be on our side.
“This Tory led Government needs to realise it’s made a mess up of these reforms, and they need to be told that this is unacceptable. It is the year 2013, and they are taking us back to the 1800’s.
“Everyone should have the right to a good quality of life.”
However, Cannock Chase Council Leader George Adamson said that the Council’s hands have been tied by the Westminster Government.
He said: “This policy has been forced upon us by the Government at the same they are giving huge tax cuts to millionaires.”
Helen Carr, 32 of Kelly Avenue, Rugeley admits she is concerned for her future and her daughter’s welfare.
She said: “Cannock Council are not doing anything to try and help pay these extra taxes being forced upon us.
“They are expecting me to pay 14% for one bedroom and up to 25% for two or more bedrooms, then on top they are expecting 20% from me in Council Tax, so I now have to find £40 to pay both of these taxes when I am already in minus figures.
“I am on income provided by the Government which has changed from Job Seekers Allowance to Employment Seekers Allowance-my total income is £71 a week and out of that I pay my electric bill of £25, my shopping bill of £25 and the rest goes on my debts.
“I either have to move into a one bedroom home or find the extra money or end up on the streets.
“Where is my daughter supposed to sleep when she stays with me three times a week? My daughter is 13 years old and by law is required to have her own space. So where does she fit into all of these changes?
Cannock Council Taxation and Benefits manager Rob Wolfe said the authorities scheme seeks to protect the most vulnerable.
Mr Wolfe said: “Our scheme seeks to protect those in need within Cannock Chase. Claimants with very young children or those who are severely disabled may still qualify for a full reduction in their bills.
“No one below the age of 18 would be liable for Council tax and those of pensionable age are protected from the changes. No one of working age is affected more than anyone else. The reduction scheme is based on income and the composition of the household. The age of the person does not affect their entitlement.”
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