London Borough of Croydon (25 013 186)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 12-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to use her overpayment to settle her arrears. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons why she could not complain sooner.

London Borough of Wandsworth (25 016 025)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 12-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council did not make reasonable adjustments in the way it communicated with her. This is because we could not add to any previous investigation by the Council.

Northumberland County Council (25 020 381)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 12-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s housing benefit application process and how it handled Mr X’s complaint about the process. This is because it is unlikely that we will find fault.

East Suffolk Council (25 024 687)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 12-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery of overpaid housing benefit. This is because the complaint is late.

London Borough of Enfield (25 018 557)

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

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to write-off the remainder of his housing benefit debt. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Birmingham City Council (25 026 376)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a council tax account. Any injustice Mrs X has experienced is not significant enough to warrant an investigation.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (25 013 161)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 06-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision he has been overpaid housing benefit. It is reasonable for Mr X to use his statutory right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Bedford Borough Council (25 025 839)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 01-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the decision about the debt is out of jurisdiction, as there was a right of appeal. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision on how to recover the debt.

London Borough of Merton (25 016 331)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 31-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s claim for a discretionary housing payment. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council in its decision making to warrant investigation. The Council’s apology for its delay and incorrect appeal advice is a suitable remedy and there is no significant remaining injustice.

West Northamptonshire Council (25 017 577)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 29-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council issuing her with a housing benefit overpayment which it is recovering from her universal credit payments. It was reasonable for Miss X to ask for an internal review and then appeal to the First-Tier benefits tribunal.