London Borough of Lewisham (23 014 315)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 04-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s delay in writing off a debt. The Council has now written off the debt and it has apologised to Mr X for the delay. This is a suitable remedy.

London Borough of Camden (23 016 572)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 02-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s administration of Miss X’s housing benefit since 2022. She also complained about not being given sufficient housing advice 20 years ago. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Miss X could not have complained to us sooner.

Leicester City Council (23 016 402)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 01-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the recovery of a hosing benefit overpayment issued in 2013. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Miss X could not have complained to us sooner.

Amber Valley Borough Council (23 006 239)

Statement Not upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 29-Feb-2024

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to assess her housing benefit and council tax support claims properly. She states she provided all the information requested by the Council, but it took too long to decide her claims. We have found no fault by the Council in the way it considered these matters.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (23 009 273)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 29-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to reclaim an overpayment of housing benefit from the complainant. This is because he has a right of appeal to a tribunal about the matter.

Mid Sussex District Council (22 017 009)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 29-Feb-2024

Summary: Mr X complains the Council did not deal properly with his Housing Benefit application. The Council is at fault because it delayed reassessing Mr X’s Housing Benefit application. This did not cause injustice to Mr X.

Birmingham City Council (23 015 936)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council intentionally maintaining his state of homelessness by manipulating financial records. This is because he has used an alternative remedy by way of proceedings in a court of law. Therefore, the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

London Borough of Bromley (23 016 387)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 27-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the payment of housing benefit as there is a right of appeal to a tribunal.

Rutland County Council (23 015 576)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 21-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to suspend his housing benefit. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault. In addition, the alleged fault did not cause any significant injustice.

Durham County Council (23 015 675)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 21-Feb-2024

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