Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about problems Mr X experienced claiming the Government’s energy rebate payment from the Council as there is insufficient remaining injustice caused to him to warrant our further involvement.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains he experienced difficulties claiming the £150 energy rebate payment from the Council after it only gave instructions how to do it online. Mr X had to spend time trying to contact the Council by phone.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. While I recognise Mr X feels he was put to unnecessary inconvenience in claiming the payment, he was able to do so and the payment was made. As such, I do not consider there is sufficient remaining injustice caused to Mr X to warrant our further involvement.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient remaining injustice caused to him to warrant our further involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman