Westminster City Council (24 015 144)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 21-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to award her a discretionary housing payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Croydon (24 011 425)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 18-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s payments of housing benefit directly to a private landlord. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 014 575)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 17-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about refusal of a discretionary housing payment. This is mainly because there is not enough evidence of fault that is likely to have undermined the Council’s decision-making.

Gravesham Borough Council (24 015 501)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 17-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her housing situation. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to consider the late complaint. In addition, there is insufficient evidence of fault, and the alleged fault has not caused any significant injustice.

Dorset Council (24 016 770)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 13-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an application for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because the Council will reimburse the amount of the holding deposit.

Westminster City Council (24 016 402)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 12-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about housing matters. It is reasonable for Mr X to appeal a housing benefit decision, and it is unlikely we would find fault with the Council’s decision to suspend his housing application. Our investigation is unlikely to achieve more for communication issues than the Council has already offered.

Lewes District Council (24 004 245)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-Feb-2025

Summary: Miss W complained on behalf of her mother Mrs V about how the Council acted and communicated when it suspended her housing benefit, causing them both significant distress. We found fault in how the Council handled the matter and it agreed to apologise, make a symbolic payment and review its procedure.

Blaby District Council (24 017 804)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to recover a housing benefit overpayment from Mr X’s account. It is reasonable for him to appeal to an independent tribunal to challenge the Council’s decision on his benefit.

London Borough of Hillingdon (24 019 231)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 05-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss B’s complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because it is reasonable for Miss B to put in an appeal to the tribunal.

London Borough of Newham (24 010 026)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 04-Feb-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment because the complainant appealed to the tribunal and could have appealed about any other overpayments that may have arisen.