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.

Birmingham City Council (23 018 033)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint council tax support because the Council has offered to revisit the issues.

East Suffolk Council (23 018 089)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an application for council tax reduction. This is because the Council has made a benefit award and the complainant could have used her appeal rights.

Birmingham City Council (23 017 733)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax charge as the Council is to consider the individual circumstances of the case further and this is an acceptable way forward.

London Borough of Barnet (23 018 583)

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

Winchester City Council (23 020 196)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about liability for Council tax as the matter could be appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

City of Doncaster Council (23 019 272)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about who is liable to pay the council tax after a tenant moved out. This is because the complainant can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Hackney (23 019 637)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision Mr X has been overpaid housing benefit. Mr X has used his right of appeal, which is the appropriate route to challenge the decision. We cannot consider the matter.

Cherwell District Council (23 019 674)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability. It is reasonable for Mr X to use his statutory right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Newham (23 018 146)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to provide the complainant with a discretionary housing payment on an ongoing basis. This is because the Council has properly considered the request against its policy and there is not enough evidence of fault to cast doubt on the decision made. Further, it is not our role to question the outcome of a properly made decision.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (23 018 165)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax bill as the Council has remedied the matter and it has been considered by a court.

London Borough of Harrow (23 018 650)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council wrongly issued a summons for council tax as there is insufficient remaining injustice caused to Mrs X to warrant our involvement. Mrs X’s complaint about a similar matter from 2008 is made late to us and we will not therefore investigate.

Cornwall Council (23 020 289)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax premium because it can be appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.