Second Adult Rebate Overpayment

What is an overpayment

An overpayment is caused when you have been paid more benefit than you are entitled to

Overpayments usually happen when you do not tell us about changes in circumstances as soon as they happen, for example:

• An increase in wages or any other income (unless you are in receipt of Pension Credit then you will need to notify the Pension Service)
• If someone moves into or out of your home
• If you change address

Please do not rely on the Job Centre Plus, The Pension Service, your landlord or anyone else to tell us about any changes. As the Benefit customer, you and your partner (if applicable) are responsible for reporting all changes in circumstances. Failure to report a change in your circumstances can sometimes lead to a fraudulent claim. If fraud is proven, you may be liable for prosecution.

In most instances, the council shall seek to recover all monies overpaid to you.

How will I know if an overpayment has occurred?

We will write to you and in the letter that has been issued to you, it will give full details of the overpayment and will advise you of the following:-

• What has caused the overpayment
• The dates and the amount of the overpayment
• The total amount of the overpayment
• What to do if you disagree with the overpayment

What if I do not agree with the overpayment?

The first thing to do is to read the overpayment letter carefully as it will explain the reason together with dates and amounts you have been overpaid

If you disagree with the overpayment after reading the explanation on the letter you can do the following:

• If you do not understand the explanation on the letter you can phone, write to us or visit to request more information (You can also phone us and make an appointment or ask us to visit you in your home if you have difficulty in coming to us)
• You can ask for the decision to be looked at again.  You must do this in writing, within one calendar month of the date of the letter
• If you still disagree with the decision then you can appeal against the overpayment.  You must do this within one calendar month of the date on the letter.  For more information please see the section on ‘Appeals’

How will the overpayment be recovered?

• Council Tax Benefit / Second Adult Rebate overpayments are automatically debited to your Council Tax account.
• If you have been overpaid Council Tax Benefit and / or Second Adult Rebate, we will send you a new Council Tax bill, which will include any money you have been overpaid

How can I make payments?

For information on how to pay your Council Tax, please follow the link below:

Paying your Council Tax

What should I do if I cannot afford the repayments?

For information on what to do if you cannot afford your Council Tax payments, please follow the link below:

What if I cannot afford my Council Tax

What happens if I do not pay?

For more information on what will happen if you do not pay your Council Tax, please follow the link below:

What happens if Council Tax is not paid