What if I am overpaid Council Tax Benefit?
An overpayment is an amount of Benefit that has been paid, but for which there was no entitlement under the Regulations.
An example would be if a claimant failed to tell the Council that their income had increased, and a recalculation of their entitlement meant that they had been paid too much Benefit.
A fraudulent overpayment may occur when a person has deliberately provided a false statement or document, or has deliberately failed to report a change of circumstances with the intention of obtaining or retaining Benefit.
If you are overpaid benefit you will normally have to repay it.
We will write to you and tell you:
- what your correct benefit is;
- why you were overpaid;
- how much the overpayment is;
- the period it covers;
- how the overpayment should be repaid;
- how you can appeal if you think it is wrong;
You will also receive a revised Council Tax bill showing the new amount you have to pay.
For further information:
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Contact: Benefit Team Leader, Town Hall, Penrith CA11 7QF
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Telephone: 01768 212131
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Email: benefits@eden.gov.uk
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Fax: 01768 890470
