Bristol City Council (25 025 908)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 08-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council communicated with Mr X about housing benefit overpayment. The Council has apologised for its communication, and an investigation now is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Three Rivers District Council (25 020 578)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 07-Sep-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her application for a Discretionary Housing Payment towards the costs of moving home. The Council was at fault because it delayed reconsidering her application and incorrectly reduced the award because she had used a credit card to meet some of her moving costs. This caused Mrs X avoidable distress and uncertainty and may have caused her additional borrowing costs. The Council has agreed to increase the DHP award, pay Mrs X £250 to recognise the distress caused, and consider evidence of any credit-card or overdraft costs she incurred. These actions are a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused.

Northumberland County Council (25 028 557)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We upheld Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled his application for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). The Council agreed to resolve the complaint early by carrying out a fresh review of Mr X’s application and issuing a service improvement.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 028 812)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit transitional payment. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation.

Bassetlaw District Council (25 026 192)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 02-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr Y’s housing benefit. The complaint is late without good enough reason for us to investigate it now.

Somerset Council (25 027 646)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 27-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to award him a discretionary housing payment. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation by the Ombudsman.

Coventry City Council (25 028 871)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 25-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to pursue recovery action of two housing benefit overpayments. This is because it is reasonable for Mr X to appeal to the Tribunal.

London Borough of Enfield (24 009 279)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 24-Aug-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for ending Ms X’s housing benefit claim early and before her new tenancy began. This meant Ms X accrued arrears on her rent account. The Council agreed to apologise to Ms X and amend her rent account to reflect her correct tenancy start date and write off the arrears accrued during this period.

Lewes District Council (25 028 538)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 20-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to recover a housing benefit overpayment. This is because it would have been reasonable for Mr X to have appealed to the Tribunal.

London Borough of Barnet (25 027 273)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 16-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a discretionary housing payment decision. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation.