Benefit overpayments

An overpayment is when we pay you or your landlord an amount of housing benefit or council tax reduction that you were not entitled to receive.

 

Pay your overpayment

When paying your overpayment please have your invoice number to hand.

Pay your overpayment

Pay in person at Hackney self-service payment centre

Pay by debit card, credit card or cash at the Hackney self-service payment centre: 72 Wilton Way, Hackney, London, E8 1BJ

We’re open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Please note the new address.

Pay by post

You can post a cheque made out to the “London Borough of Hackney” to Housing Benefit Overpayments, Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street. London E8 1DY.  Please do not send cash by post. Please write your invoice number on the back of your cheque.

Pay by phone

Tel: 020 8356 3883 or use our automated 24/7 telephone service on 020 8356 5050.

Pay by instalments

Speak to our overpayments team to request a plastic card to make payments at Paypoints or a Post Office.

Why do overpayments happen?

They usually happen if you don’t tell us about a change in circumstances which could affect your benefit, or because we have made a mistake when calculating your benefit.

Overpayments can happen if:

  • you forget to tell us that your income has increased
  • somebody moves into or out of your home
  • you move out of your home and do not tell us
  • you start work or change jobs
  • the circumstances of other adults living with you change
  • a dependant over 18 stops receiving child benefit

The list above only gives examples of situations that could cause overpayments and you must tell us about anything that happens that might affect your benefit entitlement.

Even if you have told the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about your change in circumstance, you must still let us know yourself and not leave it to the DWP to tell us.

Every time we adjust your benefit you will receive a letter which states the information we have used to assess your claim. It is important you read this letter, as you are responsible for making sure that the information we have used is correct.

Arrange to repay your overpayment monthly

Arrange to repay your overpayment monthly

Contact us about your benefits overpayment 

Contact us about your benefits overpayment

Frequently asked questions

Page updated on: 23 October 2023

Benefits

Telephone

Opening times

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 9am to 5pm (telephone)
  • Wednesday – 9am to 4pm (telephone)