What happens if my benefit is overpaid?

If you're paid too much benefit it is called an 'overpayment'. This can happen for many reasons.

Why do overpayments happen?

Overpayments usually happen when your benefit hasn't been adjusted to match your change of circumstances. If your circumstances have changed is it important that you contact the Housing Benefit Service as soon as possible. Do not rely on the Department for Works and Pensions, Inland Revenue or another Council department.

Examples of some of the changes you must report include:

You, or anyone who lives with you, starts or leaves a job;
Your income, or the income of anyone living with you changes: this includes wages, all benefits, all pensions, maintenance and Tax Credits changes etc;
Any of your children leave full time education;
Anyone moves into or out of your home (including children, other adult family or friends, lodgers, sub-tenants and if a baby is born etc);
You cease to be entitled to Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance;
Your capital, savings or investments change;
You, or anyone living with you, becomes a student, goes on a Youth Training Scheme, goes into hospital or a nursing home or goes into prison;
Your rent changes;
You move from this address;
You or your partner are going to be away from home for more than a month;
You receive any decision from the Home Office about immigration status;
Any changes to the level of Child Care Costs you pay;
Anything else you have told us about in your application form changes.

Call the Debt Management team on 023 9284 1643 to make an arrangement to pay your debt now.

Or email to HBO.DebtRec@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

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