Housing Benefit overpayments

If you have been overpaid, we will send you a letter to let you know, which will include:

• the reason why it happened
• the period it covers
• the amount to be repaid
• a reference number (in a box called 'benefit claim number')

You may be asked to provide more information if your circumstances have changed but we don't have your up to date details (such as your new income).

If you send us the details we have asked for we may be able to reduce the overpayment.

Repaying the over-payment

You don't have to repay the amount in one go if you can't afford to. Decide how much you think you can pay us each week and then let us know by calling 01792 635877.

If your offer is reasonable we may be able to agree the repayments immediately. If not, we may ask you to complete a budget form: Housing Benefit overpayments - personal budget form (Word doc, 28 KB).

In some cases the overpayment can be repaid by us deducting a weekly amount from any Housing Benefit you are entitled to. If this is possible, we will send you a letter to explain how much is being recovered every week. You must pay the amount deducted to your landlord plus any rent you already pay to make sure you do not fall into rent arrears.

If we can't recover the debt by that method over a reasonable period, then we will send you a bill asking for repayment.

Ways to pay

There are a number of ways you can make a repayment:

• Pay online
  • Just select whether you want to make a repayment for a private tenant Housing Benefit overpayment or a council Housing Benefit overpayment.
• Via automated telephone payment system
  • Please have your invoice number and debit or credit card details to hand and telephone 0300 4562765 (local rate) and follow the instructions given.
• By phone using your debit or credit card
  • Telephone us on 01792 635877 with the details of the payment.
• By debit or credit card at your local area housing office
• By cheque or postal order at the Civic Centre
• By post
  • Please send a cheque made payable to 'The City and County of Swansea' to: The Head of Finance and Delivery, Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea SA1 3SN.
• By standing order:  Housing Benefit overpayments - standing order mandate (Word doc, 48 KB)
• By deductions from your wages/salary
  • If you are an employee of Swansea Council telephone us on 01792 635877 to make the necessary arrangements
  • For employees/employers of other organisations - see Direct Earnings Attachment (DEA)

Further information

If you need any further help or information you can contact us via:

• phone: 01792 635877
• email: benefits.overpayments@swansea.gov.uk