Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (23 005 807)
Category : Benefits and tax > Housing benefit and council tax benefit
Decision : Upheld
Decision date : 07 Aug 2023
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about payment of housing benefit as the matter has been remedied.
The complaint
- Mr X complains that the Council has not paid sufficient housing benefit following an increase in his rent.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions a council has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X says he is currently living in a Group Home and the rent has been increased. He says the housing benefit was not increased to reflect this.
- The Council says that the housing benefit has now been increased.
- I am satisfied that the Council’s action has remedied the complaint and there are no grounds to investigate this matter.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman