Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to award a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because the Council has decided to make an award and the complainant asked us to close the case.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Mr X, complained the Council had decided not to award another Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the problem has been resolved. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I read the complaint and updates from Mr X and the Council stating that the Council will make another DHP award.

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What I found

What happened

4. Mr X complained to us that the Council had decided not to award another DHP. Councils can award a DHP to help people pay a shortfall in their rent. DHPs are discretionary and councils do not have to make an award.
5. Before we had taken any action the Council reviewed its decision and decided to award another DHP. Mr X asked us to close the case.

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Final decision

6. I will not start an investigation because the Council has decided to award another DHP and Mr X asked us to close the complaint.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman