London Borough of Hackney (25 011 607)

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

Summary: Mr X complained the Council delayed assessing his housing benefit application. He said this has had a negative impact on him financially and has taken his time and trouble for almost a year trying to resolve. We have found fault in the Councils actions for delays in completing the assessments and for incorrect information provided. The Council has agreed to write to Mr X to issue an apology, pay him a symbolic payment and complete service improvements.

Birmingham City Council (25 024 585)

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

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her housing benefit claim and its overpayment decisions. Her complaint is late and we have seen no good why she could not have come to us sooner.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 023 541)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to decline Mr X’s Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant our involvement.

London Borough of Hounslow (24 022 587)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-May-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Housing Benefit and Council Tax overpayments. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to investigate it now.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (25 024 564)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-May-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about a housing benefit overpayment appeal, a data breach committed by the Council and delays in progressing her complaints. Miss X has already used her appeal rights for the overpayment decision. It is too late to complain about matters arising before the Tribunal’s decision and the data breach as these occurred some years ago. It is reasonable to expect her to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office about more recent data protection matters. Finally, we will not investigate the Council’s complaint handling alone as this would not be a good use of our resources.

Wealden District Council (25 022 780)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-May-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Mr Y’s housing register application and request for Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate it now.

London Borough of Barnet (25 022 312)

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

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

Lewes District Council (25 022 576)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 30-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the complaint is late and there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigation regarding the Council’s recent contact.

Slough Borough Council (25 022 400)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s housing benefit claim. This is because there is no significant remaining injustice. Mr X can appeal to a tribunal about the housing benefit decisions.

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (25 021 505)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse Miss Y’s Discretionary Housing Payment application. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman.