New benefits and taxation decisions

A weekly update on benefits and taxation decisions

Please note: our decisions are published six weeks after they are issued to councils, care providers and the person who has made the complaint. The cases below reflect the caselaw and guidance available at the time of issue and the individual circumstances of each case.

City of Wolverhampton Council (23 015 042)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council handled the complainant’s housing benefit. This is because there were appeal rights the complainant did or could have used and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Plymouth City Council (23 014 875)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an Attachment of Earnings Order for council tax arrears. This is because the Council has provided a satisfactory response and there is not enough remaining injustice to require an investigation.

Chelmsford City Council (23 015 221)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful application for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

East Cambridgeshire District Council (23 015 308)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the amount of Council Tax Reduction the Council has awarded. This is because there are appeal rights the complainant could have used and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Luton Borough Council (23 015 826)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to charge Mr X council tax on two properties he has built on his land. This is because Mr X has right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal and it would be reasonable for him to use it.

London Borough of Merton (23 015 676)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse Mr X’s council tax reduction application. It is reasonable for Mr X to use his statutory right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Haringey (23 014 307)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit decisions. Any fault by the Council concerning tenants’ benefits did not directly cause significant injustice to the housing provider.

Cornwall Council (23 015 389)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s alleged failure to send Mr X council tax bills or calculate his council tax reduction correctly. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions and Mr X has right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if he remains unhappy with his council tax reduction entitlement.

Lewes District Council (23 014 490)

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to progress his claim for housing benefit. This is because Mr X has appealed the decision to a tribunal.

Lewes District Council (23 015 076)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to charge Ms X council tax for six months. This is because the Council has conceded fault and provided a suitable remedy to address the injustice Ms X experienced. An investigation would not lead to a different outcome.