We will write to you and let you know if you have been overpaid and give you the full details.
If you are told you have been overpaid, please make sure you tell us what your circumstances were for the period of the overpayment.
We will send you an invoice for repayment . If you still get Housing Benefit we will deduct this from your ongoing benefit payments.
If you are no longer getting Housing Benefit and you cannot afford to pay the overpayment in one lump sum you must contact us to discuss repayment by instalments.
We may ask you to complete an income and expenditure form to tell us about your circumstances.
If you do not make an arrangement to repay
- Your debt could be passed to an outside agency for them to collect the debt on our behalf.
- We can apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make deductions from certain State Benefits you may receive.
- If you are working, we may ask your employer to deduct a percentage of your wages through a Direct Earnings Attachment.
We are also able to register your overpayment in the County Court. Once registered, we will hold an order to recover against you, which can be enforced by the Court. Enforcing the Judgement can mean you will be summoned to Court to examine your finances and to fix an appropriate instalment arrangement.
Failure to comply with the Court order will result in the Court Bailiff being instructed under a warrant of execution.
We can also apply for a charging order on your property or a third-party order to recover money from your bank or building society account.
If we register your overpayment in the County Court and then proceed to enforce the order to recover, you will be liable for the extra costs incurred. These will be added to your original debt.
Please note that failure to repay or make an arrangement to repay your Housing Benefit overpayment may result in a County Court Judgement (CCJ) and will impact on your credit rating.
Third Party recovery by another Local Authority
If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit in another local authority area, an application to that local authority can be made to make deductions from your ongoing Housing Benefit on behalf of Maldon District Council.
Landlord Recovery
If you are a landlord that owes an overpayment and you receive Housing Benefit for any other tenants, we may recover your overpayment from the benefit payable in respect of another.
Where recovery is made from another tenant’s benefit, that tenant will be deemed to have paid rent to the value of that recovery.
How to pay your Housing Benefit Overpayment
Direct Debit
Direct Debit payments can only be taken on the 1st of each month.
To set up a Direct Debit please contact us
Online
Payments can be made on line via our website www.maldon.gov.uk/payforit
Please quote your invoice number.
Internet banking/Standing Order
You will need to quote our bank account number 00000000, our sort code 622155, and your invoice number.
Telephone using a Debit Card
Call 01621 212410 – automated payment line - 24 hours a day – please have your invoice number to hand.
Maldon District Council is committed to the collection of overpaid Housing Benefit.
We will take all necessary recovery action to ensure the money owed is repaid.