Council Tax benefit - overpayments
An overpayment is any amount of benefit paid to you that you are not entitled to. This can happen if you do not inform us about any changes to your circumstances.
What is an overpayment of benefit?
An overpayment is any amount of Council Tax Benefit which has been paid to you, but which you are not entitled to. This could happen because you did not inform the council of a change in your circumstances, such as:
- your Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance ending;
- an increase in the earnings or private pension or other benefit award of you or anyone else in your home;
- someone joining your household;
- you leaving the address for which Council Tax Benefit was being paid.
The amount you have been overpaid is the difference between the amount of benefit you actually received and the amount you should have received. For example: if you received £12 a week for two weeks (total £24) and as a result of a change in your circumstances you should only have received £10 for each week (total £20), then you will have been overpaid by £4. (£24 - £20 = £4.) So you would have to pay back £4.
Do I have to pay the money back?
In almost all cases overpaid benefit has to be repaid, even if it was paid because of our error.
However, you may not have to repay the overpayment if it was our error and we could not have reasonably expected you to know you were getting an overpayment.
If you have been overpaid, we will write to you giving the reason for the overpayment and a statement of the dates and amount.
How is the money paid back?
Any overpayment of Council Tax Benefit will be added to your council tax bill.
What if I disagree with the overpayment?
If you disagree that you have been overpaid, or with the amount we have calculated, or that you should repay it, you can ask us to explain in writing. We will answer within 14 days.
Alternatively you can ask for a review or you can appeal against the decision. You must ask for a review or make an appeal within one month of the date of the overpayment notice. For more information on making an appeal, please see our appeals leaflet.
what if I do not repay or appeal?
If you do not repay, appeal or arrange to repay the money, we may take further action to get it back. This could lead to legal proceedings.