Overview
The complainant (Mr C) complained of misleading advice given to him and his ex-wife (Mrs A) on 1 June 2004 by a finance officer of The Highland Council (the Council) which he said led Mrs A to regard Mr C's house as her main residence and to sell her house to their financial detriment.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which I have investigated is that a council finance officer at an interview in Mr C's home on 1 June 2004 gave Mr C and Mrs A misinformation which led Mrs A to sell her home at a price less than she expected and for Mrs A, Mr C and their adult son (Mr B) to sustain financial loss (not upheld).
Redress and Recommendations
Although not upholding the complaint, the Ombudsman recommended that the Council review the circumstances of the complaint to establish whether in similar circumstances an earlier conclusion could be reached on the question of residence for benefit purposes and whether there were additional steps they could take to help ensure that claimants are fully advised about regulations and entitlement.
The Council have accepted the recommendations.