Durham County Council (21 003 577)

Statement Upheld Local welfare payments 14-Jan-2022

Summary: Miss X complained the Council refused her application for discretionary housing payment. There was fault in the Council’s actions in the way it considered Miss X’s application, but this did not lead to an injustice. The Council also failed to refer Miss X to the welfare benefit team which caused her uncertainty. The Council agreed to apologise to Miss X and complete the referral to the welfare benefits team.

London Borough of Bexley (21 001 811)

Statement Upheld Local welfare payments 23-Nov-2021

Summary: Ms B complained the Council refused her application for a discretionary housing payment when it had previously made an award and there had been no change in her circumstances. Without the payment she was unable to remain living where she was. She had to borrow money to make the rent payments and had to find other accommodation. There was fault but it did not cause significant injustice. The Council has apologised and taken action to improve how it records its decision making.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (19 020 410)

Statement Not upheld Local welfare payments 23-Apr-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council gave him poor debt advice. He says this caused him an injustice because he accrued debt of over £9,000. I do not have enough evidence to continue my investigation of this complaint.

London Borough of Havering (20 012 442)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Local welfare payments 06-Apr-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to give the complainant a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.