Preston City Council (20 007 046)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 03-Dec-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit decision because the complainant could have appealed to the tribunal.

London Borough of Ealing (20 006 649)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 03-Dec-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment because the complainant could have appealed to the tribunal.

Oxford City Council (19 015 569)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 26-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr Y complained the Council delayed dealing with his housing benefit appeal. The Council was at fault for the delay in passing the appeal to tribunal. It was not at fault for reconsidering the appeal but was at fault for not passing the appeal to tribunal after the reconsideration. Mr Y has now had his appeal. The Council has agreed to review its procedures to prevent recurrence of the fault and to pay Mr Y £150 to acknowledge the uncertainty, distress and financial difficulties caused by the delay.

Oxford City Council (19 017 366)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 26-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complained on behalf of Ms Y, the Council delayed dealing with her housing benefit appeal. The Council was at fault as it delayed passing the appeal to Tribunal. It was not at fault for reconsidering the appeal before doing so but it should have passed the appeal to tribunal when it upheld its decision after the reconsideration. This did not cause Ms Y a significant injustice as the Council did not take recovery action during the time of the appeal and Ms Y has now had her appeal. The Council should review its procedures to prevent recurrence of the fault.

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (19 021 123)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 24-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council delayed sending his request for a review of his housing benefit decision to the tribunal. We have completed our investigation. The Council accepts it was at fault and has identified a suitable remedy. It agrees to pay Mr X £275. We have recommended further action to remedy injustice to others who have not complained.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (20 006 643)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 24-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council recovering an overpayment from his housing benefit following allegations of fraud in 2014. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because housing benefit overpayments carry a right of appeal to an independent tribunal and Mr X could have appealed when he was notified of the overpayment. We received his complaint outside the normal 12-month time limit for receiving complaints.

Bristol City Council (20 001 663)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 19-Nov-2020

Summary: The Council wrongly told Miss X it owed her a large amount of money. The Council caused injustice as Miss X borrowed money from family and friends in expectation of the payment before the Council told her it had made a mistake. Miss X struggled to pay back the loans. To put this right the Council will pay Miss X £150 in recognition of the trouble and distress it caused her.

Oxford City Council (19 015 596)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complained on behalf of Mr Y, the Council delayed dealing with his housing benefit appeal. The Council was at fault for the delay in passing the appeal to tribunal. It was not at fault for reconsidering the appeal but was at fault for not passing the appeal to tribunal after the reconsideration. This did not cause Mr Y a significant injustice as the Council did not take recovery action while awaiting the appeal and Mr Y has now had his appeal. The Council should review its procedures to prevent recurrence of the fault.

Southampton City Council (19 017 103)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to cancel his housing benefit. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council causing Mr X injustice. It has agreed to remedy this by apologising, refunding cost courts of £446 and paying Mr X £250 to reflect the avoidable upset, time and trouble its faults caused him.

London Borough of Ealing (20 005 207)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 10-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the complainant can appeal to the tribunal and because the Council has recalled the debt from debt collectors.