London Borough of Bromley (21 007 292)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 07-Oct-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint the Council is recovering an overpayment of housing benefit first notified in 2017. Ms X has or had the right to appeal to the Tribunal dealing with housing benefit decisions.

Birmingham City Council (21 004 047)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 06-Oct-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s inadequate responses to a housing support provider regarding their clients’ housing benefit claims. This is because the person complaining is not a suitable representative for the benefit claimants.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (21 007 527)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 06-Oct-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council suspending Mrs X’s housing benefit and council tax support. This is because the complainant has already appealed to a tribunal and we do not find sufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Tandridge District Council (21 004 105)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Oct-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to backdate his housing benefit. This is because it is reasonable for Mr X to use his right of appeal to the Social Security Appeal Tribunal.

Manchester City Council (21 007 080)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 04-Oct-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision that the complainant is not entitled to housing benefit or a discretionary housing payment. This is because the complainant appealed to the tribunal and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. I cannot investigate the complaint that the Council should not evict the complainant because I cannot investigate a council when it is acting as a landlord.

Uttlesford District Council (21 005 292)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Sep-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a housing benefit issue. Ms C has appealed to a tribunal about the central matter, and an investigation would not lead to a different outcome on related action. We also cannot investigate part of the complaint where the Council is acting as a landlord. The complaint is also late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion and investigate.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (21 005 777)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Sep-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council handled a housing benefit claim. Any investigation will not lead to a different outcome. Moreover, there is not enough evidence of significant injustice to justify an investigation.

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (21 007 678)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Sep-2021

Summary: Miss X complains the Council failed to correctly assess the sum of her Housing Benefit overpayment. We will not investigate the complaint at this stage, as it is reasonable to expect Miss X to appeal to a tribunal.

Worthing Borough Council (21 008 143)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 23-Sep-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an overpayment of Housing Benefit. This is because the complainant has already appealed to the specialist Housing Benefit tribunal. We have no legal power to investigate.

Coventry City Council (21 000 208)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 19-Sep-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about a housing benefit overpayment. He says the Council reduced the overpayment in 2017 and he had repaid the overpayment. He also complains the dates on the Council’s invoices are wrong. We find fault with the Council for the delay in taking recovery action and for providing Mr X with incorrect information. We have made a recommendation.