Luton Borough Council (20 001 496)

Statement Not upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 18-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains the Council unfairly sought recovery of overpaid housing benefit from him through the courts. He says the overpayment occurred because of errors made by the Council. He also complains the Council did not give him a reasonable amount of time to make payment. We find no fault in this matter and have concluded our investigation.

London Borough of Lewisham (20 010 983)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 17-Mar-2021

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s decision not to award her discretionary housing payment in 2018. We should not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it was received outside the normal 12-month timescale for submitting complaints. There are no good reasons to exercise discretion to accept it now because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Lambeth (20 000 566)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 16-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms X complained the Council took until March 2020 to correctly assess a housing benefit claim made in October 2016. Ms X says this delay led directly to her eviction in 2017. There is significant delay in this case which is fault. However, the benefit underpayment did not clear Ms X’s rent arrears and so it cannot be said that the eviction would not have taken place but for the Council’s fault.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (20 006 145)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms Y complains about the way the Council dealt with her housing benefit applications and requests for an appeal. We found fault by the Council as it failed to progress Ms Y’s housing benefit appeals to the Tribunals Services. The Council also failed to clearly advise Ms Y of its decision to write off an overpayment of housing benefit and action it . We have recommended a suitable remedy so have completed our investigation.

London Borough of Newham (20 010 955)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 09-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council delayed passing a housing benefit appeal to the tribunal. This is because the benefit decision has been reversed, there is insufficient evidence of injustice and because the complainant could complain to the Information Commissioner.

London Borough of Enfield (20 010 576)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 08-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s decision to recover overpaid housing benefit. We will not investigate this complaint because she can appeal against the decision to a tribunal.

London Borough of Lewisham (20 010 734)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 08-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council seeks to recover an overpayment of housing benefit. We will not investigate this complaint because there was a right of appeal to a tribunal and the matter is out of time.

London Borough of Ealing (19 011 128)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms Y complained the Council acted unfairly in recovery of overpaid housing benefits to Mr X. Ms Y said the Council left Mr X confused, upset and with money problems. The Ombudsman will not investigate the overpayment because of the right to appeal to the Tribunal. The Ombudsman will not investigate matters that arose more than 12 months ago, as Mr X could have complained sooner. The Ombudsman finds fault with the Council for delays, debt collection practices and confusing communication with Mr X. The Council agreed to apologise to Mr X and apply a reduction to his overpayment debt with £1,000. The Council also agreed to review its appeal process and provide training about retention of appeal rights and overpayment recovery.

London Borough of Hackney (20 005 742)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 04-Mar-2021

Summary: Miss B complained that the Council failed to advise her correctly about her benefit entitlement when she became unemployed. The Council has agreed to pay £100 to Miss B.

London Borough of Haringey (20 012 124)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 03-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains the Council has not completed the agreed remedy from a previous investigation by the Ombudsman about an alleged Housing Benefit overpayment. The Council has delayed acknowledging Mr X’s appeal and has continued to collect money from his employer when it should not have done. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr X, write to him acknowledging his appeal and refund deductions from his earnings.