Wealden District Council (19 016 434)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 13-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint that the Council failed to handle her housing benefit and council tax accounts properly from 2016. Much of the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. The Council has reviewed the council tax position and agreed to refund to Ms X the costs of a court summons as a gesture of goodwill.

London Borough of Croydon (19 018 280)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 12-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a reduction in his housing benefit. This is because if Mr X wants to challenge the Council’s decision it is reasonable for him to appeal to the tribunal.

Erewash Borough Council (19 018 481)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 12-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s recovery of an overpayment of housing benefit. This is because if Miss X wants to challenge the Council’s decision it is reasonable for her to appeal to the tribunal.

Leicester City Council (19 008 938)

Statement Not upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-Mar-2020

Summary: Miss X complains about the way the Council has handled recovering a housing benefit overpayment from 2013. She says this has caused inconvenience, cost her time and trouble, and affected her wellbeing and mental state. The Ombudsman does not find fault with the Council.

Basildon Borough Council (19 017 344)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 09-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the Council has reduced the overpayment and the complainant has fresh appeal rights. In addition, there is insufficient injustice to warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Ealing (19 017 464)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 09-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s review of his housing benefit claim. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he has a right of appeal to a tribunal.

London Borough of Brent (19 017 636)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 09-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss Q’s complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because she has a right of appeal to a tribunal.

South Cambridgeshire District Council (19 017 523)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 06-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about his housing benefit claim. This is because the Council is not responsible for the issue at the heart of his complaint.

Bristol City Council (19 006 858)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 04-Mar-2020

Summary: There was fault by the Council. It did not review Mrs B’s care plan or advise her, or her family that she was not entitled to housing benefit (HB) to pay the rent of her flat while she was in residential care. The Council’s shortcomings mean Mrs B incurred a debt she may have otherwise avoided. The Council has made improvements to how it handles these situations. It agreed to refund the amount of overpaid HB to Mrs B’s estate.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (19 017 718)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 03-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council dealt with his complaint about a refund. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the Council’s proposed remedy is satisfactory.