Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (19 005 842)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 09-Sep-2019

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council failed to deal with her claim for housing benefit or backdate Universal Credit. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is a remedy by appeal to a tribunal for backdating benefit.

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (18 019 231)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint that the Council delayed dealing with a review of her discretionary housing payment. The Council continued to make the payment and has confirmed it will pay until the end of March 2020. The Council has apologised for its poor communication. There is no continuing injustice.

Newark & Sherwood District Council (19 000 327)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has made errors in his housing benefit entitlement. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because these was a right of appeal to a tribunal. Part of the complaint is also out of time.

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (19 005 441)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council treated the complainant when he applied for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Southwark (19 005 751)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit which the complainant says the Council should have paid to him, not his tenant. This is because this is a late complaint.

Liverpool City Council (19 006 262)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 03-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr K’s complaint the Council has caused him frustration, time and trouble from pursuing his dispute about the Council breaking what he considers to be a ‘contract’ for repayment of an housing benefit overpayment. This is because: we cannot investigate matters which have been decided by a tribunal; we will not investigate matters which it would be reasonable for Mr K to take to court; and we cannot order the Council to take the action Mr K thinks it should so we cannot achieve what he wants from his complaint.

London Borough of Hackney (19 005 960)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 02-Sep-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains that the Council refused to back date her benefit claim as far as she would like. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because she had a right of appeal to a tribunal.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (19 002 174)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 30-Aug-2019

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council failed to rehouse her and has not paid sufficient housing benefit. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the matter is out of time and there was a right of appeal to a tribunal about benefit entitlement.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (19 005 006)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 29-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council dealt with his appeal for refusal of housing benefit. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he appealed to a tribunal and the matter is out of time.

London Borough of Hillingdon (19 005 450)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 29-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council assessed his council tax reduction. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he had a right of appeal to a tribunal.