Skip to content

Accessibility

What happens if I am overpaid housing and council tax benefit?

Any amount of overpaid housing benefit will normally be recovered from the claimant or, in certain circumstances, the landlord.
Any amount of overpaid council tax benefit will normally be added back on to your Council Tax liability.
If the overpayment is the result of an error on the part of the Council, the Department for Work and Pensions or any other relevant official organisation, and the person receiving the housing and council tax benefit couldn't have reasonably been expected to know that they were receiving too much benefit, then it will not usually be recoverable.
If the Council believes that you are liable to repay the overpaid housing and council tax benefit you will be informed in writing of the amount of overpayment and the period that it relates to.

Related Pages (7)

  • Benefit legislation changes

    This page will provide details of the recent legislation changes to housing and council tax benefit.

  • Discretionary Housing Payment

    Discretionary Housing Payment is extra help towards rent and council tax where you have a shortfall between what you pay out in rent and council tax and what you receive in housing benefit and council tax benefit.

  • Help and Advice with Housing and Council Tax benefit

    Contact details for organisations giving help and advice on a range of benefits, including our helpline service for our residents offering advice on all types of benefits, not just those administered by us.

  • Information required to claim housing and council tax benefit

    This page deals with what information is required in order to assess a claim for housing and council tax benefit.

  • Landlords and Agents

    This page gives advice for Landlords and Agents with tenants who are claiming Housing Benefit. It also provides a leaflet to be downloaded with additional information.

  • Local Housing Allowance Rates

    This page gives the weekly the Local Housing Allowance rates for the current month and the previous month. These rates will be used when calculating your housing benefit.

  • Housing benefit - changes in circumstances

    This page provides information about the importance of notifying the council regarding changes in their circumstances.

Jump to

Back to top