London Borough of Brent (21 013 743)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 19-Jan-2022

Summary: Ms X disputes the amounts of housing benefit recovered and repaid by the Council. We will not investigate this complaint because she appealed (and could appeal) to a tribunal and there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Bexley (21 001 407)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 18-Jan-2022

Summary: Miss Y complains about the Council’s decision to refuse her application for a Discretionary Housing Payment while she was pregnant and caring for a young child. The Ombudsman finds fault by the Council, which caused Miss Y distress and uncertainty. This is because we find the Council failed to consider government guidance on good practice when handling applications, such as Miss Y’s, where the applicant is pregnant and has childcare duties that are a barrier to getting work. To remedy this, the Council has agreed to apologise to Miss Y, make her a payment and make a fresh decision on her application. The Council has agreed to make several service improvements.

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (21 013 715)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 18-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Ms X’s housing benefit claim as she can appeal to a tribunal.

Salford City Council (21 013 548)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 17-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a disputed overpayment of housing benefit. The complaint is out of time and there was a right of appeal to a tribunal.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (21 004 386)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 14-Jan-2022

Summary: Mr B complained about the Council’s failure to consider backdating a Discretionary Housing Payment and review the amount it awarded. We did not find fault in how the Council considered the amount to award Mr B. However, we found fault in the Council’s failure to consider Mr B’s application to backdate his payment which caused him inconvenience. The Council agreed to reconsider Mr B’s request for a backdated payment to address the injustice.

Horsham District Council (21 012 566)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 13-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to award another Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Southwark (21 011 660)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about benefit overpayments. This is because the complaint is late, the complainant has used her appeal rights and we cannot achieve the outcome the complainant would like.

Adur District Council (20 012 280)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Jan-2022

Summary: Ms X complains she claimed housing benefit, but the Council did not advise her she must claim universal credit. She says had to borrow money due to the Council’s failure to properly advise her. We found the Council was at fault and recommended a remedy.

Eastleigh Borough Council (21 012 856)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 22-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council is recovering an overpayment of housing and council tax benefit and has refused discretionary council tax relief. We cannot investigate the housing benefit because Mrs X has appealed to the Social Security Tribunal. It is reasonable for her to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which covers council tax.

Three Rivers District Council (21 005 130)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 16-Dec-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has failed to reply to a claim for costs arising from a housing benefit appeal to the Social Security Tribunal. We cannot lawfully investigate because Mr X has used his right of appeal.