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Housing Benefit - Overpayments

An overpayment of Benefit occurs when you are paid Benefit to which you are not entitled to.

All Housing Benefit overpayments are recoverable except those caused by an official error. We may still recover these if the person could reasonably have known they were being overpaid

How will I know if I have an Overpayment?

We will write to you. In the letter you receive from us, we will give you full details of the overpayment. We will tell you:

1) What caused the overpayment.
2) The dates and the amount of the overpayment.
3) What to do if you disagree with the overpayment.
4) How the overpayment will be recovered.

What if I do not understand the Overpayment?

There are several reasons why you have received an overpayment of Benefit.

1) You may have forgotten to tell us that your income has increased.
2) Someone may have moved into or out of your home. (This means we will need to work out your claim again)
3) If you have other adults living with you, their circumstances may have changed.
4) You may have moved out of your home and not told us.
5) You may have started work or changed jobs.

What if I do not agree with the Overpayment?  

The first thing to do when you receive your overpayment letter is to read it carefully. It will explain what the overpayment is for and the date you have been overpaid.

If after reading the letter you disagree with the overpayment you can:

1) Phone, write or visit us for a further explanation.
2) Appeal - you must do this in writing within one calendar month of the date of the letter.

Remember - If your circumstances change, dont forget to let us know immediately. The sooner you let us know the less chance there will be of an overpayment. 

How is the overpayment recovered?

1) If you are still getting Housing Benefit, we may reduce this each week to repay the Overpayment.
2) If you feel that this deduction is causing you hardship, you can write and ask for more details.
3) If you stop getting Housing Benefit, we will invoice you. You can pay this amount at the Council offices.If you can not afford to pay the invoice all at once please contact us to arrange instalments.
4) If your landlord has been paid Benefit we may ask your landlord to repay us.