HOUSING AND COUNCIL TAX
BENEFIT
What is an overpayment?
An overpayment occurs when you are paid benefit
that you were not entitled to.
How has this happened?
An overpayment usually occurs where there has been a change in
your circumstances since your benefit was originally awarded. There
are several reasons why you may have received an overpayment of
benefit.
- You may have forgotten to let us know that your income has
increased, for example, Working Tax Credit, earnings, state
benefits, pensions
- Somebody may have moved into or out of your home. This
would mean that we will need to work out your claim again
- If you have adults living with you, their circumstances may
have changed
- You may have moved out of your home and not told us
- You may have started work, or changed jobs
Please do not rely on the Department for Work and Pensions or
your landlord to tell us about any changes. You should always tell
the Council as soon as your circumstances, or those of others who
live with you, change.
How will I know if I have got an
overpayment?
You will receive a letter from the Council if you are
overpaid. The letter will give you the full details of the
overpayment, including:
- What caused the overpayment
- The dates and amount of overpayment
- How much the overpayment is
- What to do if you disagree with the overpayment
- How the overpayment will be recovered
How will the overpayment be recovered?
Any overpayments of Council Tax benefit will be transferred to
your Council Tax account and a new Council Tax bill will be sent to
you, showing you how much you will have to pay.
Housing Benefit overpayments can be recovered in a number of
ways, and the letter sent to you will state how your overpayment
will be recovered. This could be from one of the following:
- From your on-going benefit
- By sending you an invoice
- From your landlord
- From another social security benefit that is being paid to
you
What if I do not agree with the
overpayment?
The first thing to do when you receive your overpayment letter
is read it carefully. It will contain a paragraph, which will
explain the reason for the overpayment and dates you have been
overpaid.
If you still disagree with the overpayment after reading the
explanation, please see the advice for what to do next in the
Appeals Section