Housing and Council Tax benefit overpayments
This section explains why overpayments happen, when we recover them and how we recover them.
Housing Benefit overpayments
Overpayments usually happen when you have had a change in circumstance that you have not notified us of immediately.If you delay telling us of any change this means you may be paid benefit to which you are not truly entitled, we have a duty to recover this. If we pay you too much benefit we will send you a letter. The letter will explain:
- How much you have been overpaid
- The period over which you have been overpaid
- The reason why you have been overpaid
- Whether we intend to recover the overpayment
- How we are going to recover it
- How you can appeal if you think this is wrong.
In cases where we decide to recover an overpayment of housing benefit, it will either be recovered in instalments or in a lump sum from your on-going Housing Benefit, you will then have to pay more rent. Alternatively, we may issue you or your landlord an invoice requiring repayment of the overpaid Housing Benefit.
To reduce the risk of being overpaid always notify us straight away of any change.
Contact the Benefits Service for further information.
Council Tax Benefit overpayments
When we pay you too much benefit we call it an ‘overpayment’. If we pay you too much benefit we will send you a letter. The letter will explain:
- How much you have been overpaid
- The period over which you have been overpaid
- The reason why you have been overpaid
- Whether we intend to recover the overpayment
- How we are going to recover it
- How you can appeal if you think this is wrong.
In all cases where we decide to recover an overpayment of Council Tax Benefit, this will be debited directly to your Council Tax account and you will be sent a new Council Tax bill showing your new payments.
Overpayments usually happen following a change in circumstance that has not been notified to us immediately.You have a duty to inform us without delay.
Recovery of an overpayment will not predjudice any criminal proceedings that may be taken by the Council in respect of fraudulent overpayments.
Contact the Benefit Service for further information.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
customer.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
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