Households in Macclesfield are struggling as the effects of the bedroom tax hit homes, according to the town’s biggest social housing provider.

Peaks and Plains Housing Trust says that more than 220 of its households have been affected in Macclesfield alone.

It says many residents are already falling into rent arrears.

Others are losing benefits after becoming trapped in their homes with nowhere suitable to move.

From April 1, tenants that were deemed to have a spare room at their home had a cut in housing benefit. Of those, 159 affected households in Macclesfield are staying in their homes, despite the fact that they will have less to live on each week.

One such person is Elizabeth Regan, 58, who has lived at a four-bedroom property in Poynton with husband Steve, 50, and son Stephen, 26, for 23 years.

After suffering an accident at work, Elizabeth was affected by arthritis and has since developed fibromyalgia, which has severely restricted her mobility.

In recent years, Peaks and Plains helped her adapt the house by adding handrails, a walk-in shower, raised toilets, non-slip floors, lowered kitchen units, additional security lights and extra steps outside.

In January, she told the  Express that she feared she would have to move to keep afloat, despite her home’s extensive modifications.

But now she says that she cannot move house despite wanting to, as no property is suitable to deal with the effects of her condition.

She said: “ If the right property came up, we’d be prepared to move. We’re still looking for a new property that will meet my needs. We feel a bit like we’re in limbo.”

The bedroom tax means  tenants have their housing benefit reduced by 14 per cent if they have one spare bedroom, and 25 per cent if they have two or more.

Mrs Regan is considered to have two spare rooms, so loses around £26 per week.

She says losing more than £100 per month has been tough on her family.

She said: “It’s not been easy. We really have to watch our pennies and when we go shopping. It’s about looking for offers and bargains to make the money go a bit further.

“We’ve lived in this property since it was first built more than 20 years ago so it would be a real wrench moving now, especially with so many memories.”

A spokesperson for Peaks and Plains said people are turning to food banks and pay-day lenders.

Paul Bollington, a Peaks and Plains neighbourhood manager, said: “We are hearing of more and more people who, through no fault of their own, have ended up in dire financial circumstances.

“Some have literally no disposable income, meaning they can’t even put food on the table.

“We’d encourage any customers who are struggling to get in touch – we have specialist staff here who can help.”

“David Rutley, Macclesfield MP, said: “Hard working people who live in social housing may have to make tough choices about what they can afford. It’s unfair for them to be paying for some people who might have excess space.

“I’ll be meeting with housing providers to better understand the problems residents in Macclesfield may face.”