About your overpayment
All overpaid benefit you are informed of is recoverable unless
we tell you different.
If we decide that an overpayment is not recoverable you will be
advised in writing. We may decide not to recover an overpayment if
it was caused by our error. However, if you could have reasonably
known that you were being overpaid we may still seek to recover the
debt from you. An overpayment will be recovered from either you or
the person we sent your benefit award to (e.g. a private
landlord).
When an overpayment is created we will confirm, in writing, with
you and any other person affected (e.g. your landlord) the reason
the overpayment was created, the period it is for and whether we
aim to recover the debt. This notice will also confirm whom we aim
to recover the debt from. There are several ways of recovering
overpayments, these include:
- from ongoing benefit entitlement
- or deductions from other social security benefits
- or by payments which you would make to an invoice.
There are standard rates of recovery that normally apply to
deductions from benefit, however these will be reviewed if a person
who is being asked to repay the debt can provide proof that the
continued repayment at the rate suggested would result in undue
financial hardship.
Having difficulty with repaying your overpayment?
You can complete a financial statement form if you think you
are having difficulty in keeping up with the repayments you have
been asked to do. If you are not happy with the overpayment itself
and wish to appeal against its recovery because you do not think it
is correct you can make an appeal in writing using the appeals form within one
calendar month of the date the letter was sent advising you of the
debt.
You can also get free independent advice from:
- Peterborough Citizens Advice Centre, 41a Park Road,
Peterborough, PE1 1SQ
- Telephone - 0844 499 4120
- You can also speak to a solicitor if you wish.
Please note that you can ask for an explanation regarding any
decision made by this service.
If you would like to do so please contact
us.
Contact details
If you wish to discuss an overpayment or make an arrangement to
repay contact the overpayment recovery team.