If you are paid too much in housing benefits (an overpayment) it is likely you will need to pay it back.
An overpayment can happen for a number of reasons, such as:
- Changes in your income or savings
- Someone moving in or out of your household
- A change in your rent
- Moving out of the property
- Incorrect information on your claim
It’s important to tell us straight away if anything changes in your circumstances. This helps us make sure you’re getting the correct amount and prevents overpayments from happening.
Preventing overpayments
To avoid an overpayment, you must tell us immediately about any changes that might affect your housing benefit - find out how to report a change in circumstances.
This includes:
- Starting or stopping work
- A change in wages or working hours
- Changes to benefits you receive
- Moving house
- Changes to who lives with you
Not telling us quickly could lead to you being overpaid – and you may need to pay that money back.
Repaying an overpayment
If you’ve been overpaid housing benefit, we’ll contact you to explain what’s happened and how much you owe. We will usually ask for it to be repaid - this might be done by:
- Deducting money from your future benefit payments (this is called an attachment to benefits)
- Taking money directly from your wages (this is called an attachment of earnings, and it’s arranged through your employer)
- Asking you to repay the money
Struggling to pay?
If you're having trouble repaying the overpayment, please contact us as soon as possible. We may be able to:
- Set up a repayment plan you can afford
- Discuss other options to help you manage the payments
The most important thing is to stay in touch – if you are struggling to pay - contact us straightaway.
