London Borough of Lewisham (22 010 242)

Statement Not upheld Local welfare payments 17-Mar-2023

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council decided and implemented its household support fund. There was no fault in the Council’s decision making.

Northumberland County Council (22 006 688)

Statement Upheld Local welfare payments 06-Jan-2023

Summary: Mrs F complained the Council failed to publish the discretionary energy rebate scheme in a timely manner. She also said it provided her with misleading information and its complaints handling and communication was poor. We find the Council was at fault for its communication with Mrs F and its complaints handling. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to address the injustice caused by fault.

Bath and North East Somerset Council (22 002 451)

Statement Not upheld Local welfare payments 30-Nov-2022

Summary: There was no fault in how the Council responded to Ms B’s enquiries about access to the household support fund. It was reasonable for it to direct Ms B to its complaints process if she wanted to pursue this.

Kent County Council (22 010 586)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 23-Nov-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s administration of its Household Support Fund. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault affecting Mr X and it is unlikely investigation would achieve any worthwhile outcome for him.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (22 010 355)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 16-Nov-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Local Welfare Assistance scheme because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and insufficient evidence of injustice.

London Borough of Bromley (22 008 655)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 18-Oct-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council agreed to support Mr X throughs its Welfare Fund. That is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

Chelmsford City Council (22 006 450)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 05-Sep-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not paying Mr X the council tax rebate for energy costs. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (22 005 397)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 21-Aug-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to only provide discretionary energy rebate payment to individuals who received council tax support before, or on, 1 April 2022. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

Darlington Borough Council (22 003 735)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 17-Jul-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about eligibility for the hardship support fund. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Wiltshire Council (21 002 027)

Statement Upheld Local welfare payments 05-Jul-2022

Summary: Mr X complains the Council failed to fully consider his circumstances when he claimed a Discretionary Housing Payment. There was fault in the Council’s communications and in its consideration of his backdate request. We recommended a remedy.