What happens if we pay you too much Benefit?

If you are paid to much benefit it is called an overpayment. If you are overpaid we will write and tell you:

• Why you got too much benefit;
• How much the overpayment is;
• How it was calculated;
• If you have to repay the overpayment;
• What to do if you do not agree with the decision;
• How the overpayment can be repaid.

How the overpayment can be repaid

Council Tax Benefit
Overpaid council tax benefit is recovered from your council tax account. We will add the overpaid amount to your account and you will be sent a new council tax bill.

Housing Benefit
Overpaid Housing Benefit can be recovered in two ways:

• Weekly deductions from your weekly benefit entitlement;
• Invoice and arrangement with our Benefit Recovery team.

Weekly deductions
If you are still entitled to benefit we will recover your benefit from your weekly entitlement by deducting an amount per week from your benefit. The basic amount we deduct is £9.15.

You will need to increase the amount you pay your landlord by this amount.

Invoice
If you are sent a bill for an overpayment you will need to pay this back to the Council. Details of how and when to pay will be included with the bill or your can contact the Benefits Recovery Team – 020 8871 7072 or email them at benefits@wandsworth.gov.uk.