Benefit overpayments
If you're paid too much benefit it's called an 'overpayment'.
Overpayments usually happen when your benefit hasn't been altered to match your changed circumstances.
You must tell us if your circumstances change.
If you think you've been paid too much, please contact us straight away.
Notice
We'll write to you about the overpayment, and tell you:
- the reason for the overpayment
- how much you've been overpaid
- what period the overpayment relates to
- how the overpayment will be recovered
- what to do if you disagree with the overpayment
Repayment
Still getting housing benefit
We will reduce your weekly benefit until the overpayment is paid back. The amount we reduce depends on government rules.
If the overpayment was due to fraud, the amount we take will be higher. We will write to you with the details.
No longer getting housing benefit
We will send you an invoice to pay the amount back.
Reducing DWP benefits
We can’t deal with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deductions, you need to contact them directly.
Private tenant
You will need to arrange to pay any rent shortfall to your landlord so that you do not get into rent arrears.
If we paid your landlord directly, we may ask them to repay the overpayment.
Council tax support
We will send you a new council tax bill that includes the overpaid amount.
How to pay
The invoice number must be quoted as a reference with all payments and correspondence.
You can pay your invoice in several ways:
By Direct Debit
The recommended (and easiest) way to pay your bill on the 1st of each month.
You can now set up a Direct Debit over the telephone - call the Overpayment Section on (01639) 686839.
By post
Please post to:
The Cash Office
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Civic Centre
Port Talbot
SA13 1PJ
Please make cheque payable to:- "N.P.T.C.B.C" or "Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council" and write your invoice number, name and address on the back of your cheque
By Telephone (24 hours, 7 days a week)
You can use a debit card to pay by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Telephone: 0161 622 6919
At Post Office
You will need to take this invoice/reminder with you each time you make a payment.
Online
You can pay quickly and securely online.
Use your debit card and have your bill and reference number ready.
Installments
You can ask to pay in smaller amounts over time.
- Work out what you can afford.
- Call us on 01639 686839 to talk about a payment plan.
- Or write to us with your offer.
If we need more details, we may ask you to fill in a form showing your income and expenditure.
Appeal
You can appeal if you think the overpayment is wrong.
You must write to us within one month of the date on the letter.
We will review your case and let you know the outcome.
Non payment
If you don’t repay, we may go to the County Court.
This could lead to:
- money taken from your wages
- bailiffs collecting the debt
- a charge placed on your home
- Court costs will be added to your debt
After the court sets a payment plan, you must speak to them if you want to change it
Information for landlords
If we paid you directly and your tenant was overpaid:
- we may deduct the amount from future payments for that tenant.
- if the tenant’s benefit has stopped, we may send you an invoice.
- in some cases, we may recover the amount from payments for other tenants.
We will write to you before we do this.
Contact us
You can contact us online for help or advice about Housing Benefit or Council Tax support.
In person
By visiting the benefit section at one of our customer service centres in:
- Neath Civic Centre, Neath, SA11 3QZ
- Port Talbot Civic Centre, Port Talbot, SA13 1PJ
You can also contact us at:
Our phone lines are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
