Folkestone & Hythe District Council (24 015 812)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 20-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit decision. This is because it was reasonable for the complainant to use his appeal rights to the Social Entitlement Chamber which is the statutory tribunal set up to consider housing benefit appeals.

London Borough of Harrow (24 012 739)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 19-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision regarding Mr X’s entitlement to Council Tax Support. Mr X used his statutory right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. We cannot also consider the matter.

Northumberland County Council (25 001 053)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 19-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about enforcement of a Council tax debt because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (24 016 000)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council notifies housing benefit decisions. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice and because there are appeal rights the complainant could use.

London Borough of Hackney (24 020 782)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 06-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about discretionary housing payments. One issue is too late. On another issue we are unlikely to find any injustice. And on another we are unlikely to find fault.

London Borough of Newham (24 008 939)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Apr-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council took too long to assess his housing benefit entitlement which resulted in large benefit overpayments. The Council was entitled to reassess Mr X’s entitlement based on new relevant evidence and Mr X had a right of appeal if he disagreed with the decision. But it failed to take action promised in response to Mr X’s complaint and that was fault and caused continued uncertainty. The Council should now discuss with Mr X how it will assess his future income.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (24 023 297)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Apr-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this housing benefit complaint because Ms X could have used her review and appeal rights.

London Borough of Southwark (24 018 611)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 22-Apr-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s decision and handling of her housing benefit claim because it is reasonable for Miss X to appeal to the tribunal.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (24 022 312)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 16-Apr-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a housing benefit claim because the complainant appealed to the tribunal.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 020 926)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 08-Apr-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a missing discretionary housing payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council, and it is unlikely we could add to the Council’s response.