Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about recovery of overpaid housing benefit. The complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about Council action to recover housing benefit overpayments made between 2020 and 2022.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
4.  

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by the complainant.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. The Council wrote to Ms X in June 2022 to notify her about housing benefit overpayments. It requested repayment of overpaid benefit accrued since 2020. The letter advised her if she disagreed with the Council’s decision, she could request a review.
8. We will not investigate this complaint. Ms X was aware of the Council’s decision in June 2022 but did not request a review or approach us at that time. She only brought the complaint to us in January 2025. This complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman