When the local council won't help, who do you turn to?

[tammybear]

I am looking for advice for my friend. He lives with his fiancee. They have a 11 month DS. She's a SAHM, and he works.

For about 6 weeks, he was unemployed at which time they had to claim benefits whilst he was job hunting. He received a number of letters telling him how much he was entitled to.

But the local council had messed them about, and still are now. They said they would sort them out housing and council tax benefit for the period that he was unable to work, but they haven't. The money that they said he was entitled to, he hasn't seen any of that either.

For the 6 weeks, he got £96, but was still expected to pay £200 for the council tax. Also, whilst unemployed, he had to pay the rent off which is £650.

They keep fobbing him off, so who could he go to now? Would a solicitor be able to help? Or is there another way? Any help would be appreciated.

have they gave them all the right paper work? On the letters saying how much he should get there should be dates saying WHEN he will get it, and until when. Has it gone inot wrong bank account?

He's double checked, but all the letters say the same thing bout what he's entitled to a week, obviously this stopping when he went back to work, but they were, according to the council, entitled to at least one month's full housing benefit and council tax benefit.

He also checked the bank account, and it was the right details. He had gone overdrawn too because he was expecting the benefits to go into this account when he was told he was allowed them.

Isn't there an ombudsman for council tax/housing benefits complaints. I think he needs to ask for the name of a supervisor maybe and speak to them or a manager?

C.A.B are usually quite good at sorting this sort of stuff out.

What exactly is the council saying? We put it in your bank? We havent paid it yet? Oh seems a cheque was sent it seems to have got lost in the post?

Hey, thanks for your replies.

Thank you Cece and Laidbackinengland, I'll suggest those to him.

Charliecat, I'll double check with him.