What is an overpayment?

An overpayment of benefit occurs when you are paid benefit to which you have no entitlement.

How will I know if I have been overpaid benefit?

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

• What caused the overpayment.
• The dates and the amount of the overpayment.
• How much the overpayment is.
• What to do if you disagree with the overpayment.

There are several reasons why you may have received an overpayment of benefit, including:

• You may have forgotten to let us know that your income has increased, for example, Working Families Tax Credit, wages, state benefits, work pensions etc.
• Somebody may have moved into or out of your home. This would mean that we will need to work out your entitlement again.
• If you have other adults, such as non-dependants, living with you, their circumstances may have changed.
• You may have moved out of your home & not told us.
• You may have started work, or changed jobs.

Please do not rely on the Department for Work & Pensions (opens new window) or your landlord to tell us about any changes.

If your claim is found to be fraudulent, we will recover any benefit paid to you that you were not entitled to. You could also be prosecuted.


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 dates you have been overpaid. We will also tell you how the overpayment is to be repaid.

If you do not understand the explanation please contact the Customer Service Section:
By Telephone: 01502 523535

By Post: Within 1 month of the date of the overpayment notification. Your letter must state that you are requesting an explanation or statement of reasons, as to why the overpayment occurred, you must sign all letter’s that you send.

Waveney District Council
Revenues and Benefits Service
P O Box 97
Lowestoft
NR32 1HD

or

Hand deliver to one of our local offices located in Beccles, Bungay,Halesworth and Southwold or to Revenues and Benefits admin centre at Compass Street, Lowestoft

If you disagree with anything in the explanation provided, you may ask for an internal review or reconsideration within 1 month of the date of the overpayment notification, you must sign all letter’s that you send.
If you are still not satisfied, you may appeal to the Independant Tribunal Service who will examine your case and make a decision about your benefit. You must do this in writing, within one month of the date on the letter. Your appeal must state the decision or decisions that you disagree with, your reasons for disagreeing with the decision and you must sign any letter that you submit. A form for this (Benefits - How to Appeal) is available to download on the housing and council tax benefit page .

Do not ignore any letter regarding an overpayment. If your circumstances change, don't forget to let us know as soon as possible. If we know before, there is less chance of an overpayment.


Methods of recovery

Housing Benefit Recovery

Council Tax Benefit Recovery