Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (25 020 844)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Sep-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council has not dealt with her application for a discretionary housing payment fairly and it failed to consider her personal circumstances. She also complained the Council failed to tell her that her landlord made the decision on her application. We find the Council was at fault for failing to be transparent that Ms X landlord would make a decision on her application. This did not cause Ms X a significant injustice and the Council has provided evidence it has amended its website to prevent a recurrence of this fault. The Council was also at fault because its decision letter and complaint responses did not address points Ms X had raised about her personal circumstances. While this is unlikely to have affected the outcome, it did cause Ms X some frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise to Ms X and implement a service improvement.

London Borough of Barnet (25 028 067)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled his application for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation by the Ombudsman.

Milton Keynes Council (25 030 838)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit assessment. This is because the complaint is late. Ms X could also have used her appeal right. Ms X can refer to the Information Commissioner regarding alleged data breaches.

London Borough of Islington (26 017 691)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. It is reasonable to expect Miss X to use the alternative remedy available to her and appeal to the independent benefits tribunal (the First-Tier Tribunal).

London Borough of Lambeth (25 027 841)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 24-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit and overpayments. This is because it was reasonable to expect Mr X to appeal to a tribunal.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (26 016 479)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 21-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to write off a debt owed by Mr X, because of a housing benefit overpayment. It is unlikely we would find fault in the Council’s actions. Additionally, any fault in the Council pausing recovery action has not caused Mr X a significant injustice.

Birmingham City Council (25 022 788)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 20-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his housing benefit. This is because the Council has taken appropriate action to resolve the complaint. Further investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (25 031 251)

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

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her housing benefit payments. This is because the complaint is late with no good reason to investigate now.

Ashford Borough Council (25 029 412)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 15-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council paid a Discretionary Housing Payment and its communication with Ms X. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (25 026 245)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 13-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about how the Council has dealt with the recovery of housing benefit overpayments. The complaint is late and it would have been reasonable for Mrs X to use her appeal rights.