Angry protesters against the 'bedroom tax' gathered outside Barnsley Law Courts this week as some of the first cases of rent arrears in South Yorkshire were heard in court.
Up to 30 people protested outside the court on Westgate, chanting 'the bedroom tax is a nasty tax, axe the bedroom tax' and displayed banners reading 'no evictions, no bedroom tax.'
They were asked by security guards to move some placards from the steps leading up to the court.
The protesters had gathered to support seven people who were appearing in court for non-payment of rent arrears.
The arrears are caused by a shortfall after the bedroom tax - a payment for a spare room - is deducted from a tenant's housing benefit.
The tenant then has to make up the shortfall, but many have failed to do so.
Tracey-Ann Holland, 46, suffers from fibromyalgia, which causes pain all over her body, hemiplegia, where one side of the body is paralysed, and osteoarthritis.
She is registered disabled and her income consists of £164 disability living allowance per month and £100 employment and support allowance per week.
Tracey-Ann has to pay £10.22 per week for the spare bedroom at her home on Eshton Walk, Barnsley.
She said simply: "I can't afford it. My mum already feeds and clothes me. It's picking on the most vulnerable people in society."
She was granted discretionary housing payment from July until October, when she will reapply.
Another protester, Rosemarie Powers, of Blenheim Avenue, Barnsley, has made one payment since April.
She lives in a Yorkshire Housing property with her 14-year-old son and has an attic for which she has to pay £10.93 per week.
She said: "I'm totally against the bedroom tax, it should be abolished full stop. "I've had two letters from Yorkshire Housing saying that I must pay it.
"I've written to them to tell them I'm against it. I've not had a summons but I'm worried I'm going to get one."
Rosemarie works ten hours a week as a part time kitchen assistant and claims Jobseeker's Allowance.
She said she did not want to move to a smaller house because she was happy where she was living.
George Arthur, of the Barnsley Against The Bedroom Tax group, urged anyone who has received a summons to contact the group.
He added: "We're in contact with about 150 people affected by the bedroom tax.
"But we're really concerned about the 100 people due to appear at court in September, and are concerned about the pressure they're under to make ends meet.
"We want to let people know there is an organisation which can support them.
"It must be terrifying to come to court on your own with the possibility that you might be evicted."
•A mass sleep out event will see protesters sleeping out in Town End Park (also known as Sparrow Park) from 6pm tomorrow.
