Doncaster Council

Why do benefit overpayments happen?

Overpayments normally happen, for example, because:

·         Your circumstances change and you are no longer entitled to benefit or are entitled to less benefit;

·         You move home;

·         Someone who lives with you, for example, a non-dependant, has a change in their circumstances that affects your benefit.

It is very important that you tell us about any changes in your circumstances as soon as they happen to prevent us paying you too much benefit.

Do I have to pay the money back to you?

If we pay you too much benefit, you will normally have to pay it back.

How do I pay the money back to you?

If you are still receiving Housing Benefit, we will normally take the overpayment off your ongoing benefit, usually in weekly instalments. The government sets the instalment amount, but we can take less if you cannot afford the amount we are taking off your benefit. If you cannot afford the amount we are taking off your benefit, you should complete a form giving us details of how much money you have coming in each week and the money you have to pay out. Click on the document below to download a form.

When you have completed the form, send it back to us straight away. We will then let you know whether we can take less off your weekly benefit to recover the overpayment.

In some circumstances, we may recover the overpayment all at once from any benefit you are due to. This depends on the reasons why we paid you too much Housing Benefit.

 
If we have paid you too much Council Tax Benefit, we will take the overpayment from your Council Tax account.

• Benefits Overpayment I & E form

What if I am not receiving Housing Benefit?

By Debit Card

You can pay by Switch, Solo, Visa Electron or Visa Delta debit card by phoning 01302 734123 or 735338.  Please make sure you have your debit card and Housing Benefit reference number to hand.

By Cheque

Please make your cheque payable to Doncaster M.B.C. Please write the account number and the Housing Benefit reference number on the back of the cheque. You will find both of these on your letter telling you about the overpayment.

You should send your cheque to:

In Cash

Please do not send cash through the post. Please take it to one of the council's cash offices listed below. Please take your letter telling you about the overpayment with you as the cashier will need the account number and your Housing Benefit reference number.

You can pay at any of these offices:

·         Colonnades House, Duke Street, Doncaster

·         The Town Hall, Adwick-le-Street

·         The Council Offices, Cooke Street, Bentley

·         The Council Offices, 62 Church Street, Conisbrough

·         The Council Offices, Main Street, Mexborough

·         The Council Offices, The Bridge Centre, Bridge Street, Thorne

·         The Stainforth Housing Office, Emmerson Avenue, Stainforth

·         The Council Offices, McConnell Crescent, Rossington        
 

Can I pay the money back in instalments?

If you cannot afford to pay all the money back to us at once, you should complete a form giving us details of how much money you have coming in each week and the money you have to pay out. Click on the document below to download a form.When you have completed the form, send it back to us straight away. We will then let you know whether you can pay the overpayment back in instalments.

• Benefits Overpayment I & E form

What if the overpayment wasn’t my fault?

If you think the overpayment was not your fault, you may still have to pay the money back if we think it was reasonable for you to know you were receiving too much benefit.

Can I appeal against an overpayment?

You can appeal against an overpayment but you must do this within one calendar month of the date we notified you of the overpayment. You must appeal in writing and your letter must say why you do not agree with the overpayment.

Our Fact Sheet ‘What to do if you don’t agree with your benefit’ gives more information about how to appeal. You can find all our Fact Sheets by clicking on the Leaflets and Guides heading on the left and side under 'More Information'.

Please do not ignore our letters as the debt will not go away. If we do have to take further action to recover the money through the courts, the amount you owe will increase.