Benefit overpayments
Overview
Tell the office dealing with your benefit straight away if:
- you think you鈥檙e being overpaid
- your circumstances change
You may have to pay back the benefit if you鈥檝e been overpaid.
There鈥檚 a different process for tax credits overpayment and Child Benefit overpayment, or if you鈥檝e been overpaid by or .
You may be prosecuted for benefit fraud or have to pay a penalty if you do not tell benefit providers about overpayments.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
If you鈥檝e been overpaid Universal Credit
You can report an overpayment by signing into your Universal Credit account or calling the Universal Credit helpline.
Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
British Sign Language (BSL) if you鈥檙e on a computer - find out how to
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
When the benefit office will contact you
You鈥檒l get a letter to let you know that you鈥檝e been overpaid.
If you think it鈥檚 a mistake you can ask for mandatory reconsideration. You usually need to do this within one month of receiving the letter.
Housing Benefit paid directly to your landlord
Your landlord may be asked to repay the money if they鈥檙e responsible for an overpayment. You may have to repay if it was your fault.