The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit payments because the complaint is out of time.
The complaint
Mr X complains that the Council has not increased his housing benefit in line with increases in his rent.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X says that the Council failed to increase his housing benefit in line with his rent increases. He complained in June 2024 and the Council gave its final reply in September 2024. The complaint relates to an increase in housing benefit in 2023 and 2024.
I am satisfied that this complaint could reasonably have been made to this office within 12 months of Mr X first becoming aware of the matter. I do not consider that there are grounds to disapply this rule. The complaint is therefore out of jurisdiction.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is out of time.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman