London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (20 002 855)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 07-Sep-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr A’s complaint about how the Council dealt with his application for a discretionary housing payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence that fault by the Council caused Mr A an injustice to justify our further involvement in his case.

Bristol City Council (19 016 235)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 25-Aug-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision to decline her application for Discretionary Housing Payment. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Wealden District Council (19 008 606)

Statement Not upheld Local welfare payments 04-Aug-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council unfairly refused his application for a Discretionary Hardship Payment (DHP) and Exceptional Hardship Payment (EHP). He says this meant he had less money every month after he had paid his bills. Mr X appealed the EHP refusal to a Valuation Tribunal so this part of the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. There was no fault in the Council’s consideration of the DHP application.

Warrington Council (19 015 189)

Statement Not upheld Local welfare payments 23-Jun-2020

Summary: Ms B complained that the Council did not pay her sufficient Discretionary Housing Payment to cover her housing costs. We find no fault in the Council’s actions because it had paid the maximum it could.

Arun District Council (19 019 812)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 01-Apr-2020

Summary: Mr B complains about the Council’s handling of his application for a Discretionary Housing Payment. The Ombudsman does not propose to investigate the complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.