Council tax benefit overpayments
If your circumstances change while you are claiming council tax
benefit but you do not tell Tower Hamlets benefits service straight
away you could be paid more benefit than you are entitled to. The
difference between what you were actually paid and what you should
have been paid is called an overpayment (or an excess
payment).
Overpayments can be avoided if you make sure
you always tell us when your circumstances change. You must also
report changes of circumstances affecting other people who live
with you.
Recovery of overpayments
We have a duty to safeguard public funds and
will normally seek to recover any overpayments that occur.
Recovery is usually made by adding the
overpayment back onto your council tax bill and increasing your
subsequent instalment amounts. Where a large overpayment is
calculated later in the year this can mean your monthly instalments
increase substantially. If this causes hardship you need to
discuss payment with the council tax recovery section.
Underlying entitlement
Any overpayment will be
offset against the correct amount of council tax benefit you
should have been awarded (your underlying entitlement).
In order to work out your underlying
entitlement you will have to provide full details and evidence of
your actual income and circumstances for the period of the
overpayment within one calendar month of first being told about an
overpayment.
Further information
Report a change in circumstances online
How to contact us
Tower Hamlets operates as a centralised
benefit claims processing service and a dedicated benefits call
centre both based at the Town Hall where all postal, email and
telephone enquiries should be directed. Home visits can be arranged
if you are housebound and do not have anyone who can help you.
Benefits Service
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7364 5001
Fax: 020 7364 7048
Email: benefits@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Personal callers should visit their nearest
One Stop Shop to hand in claim forms,
obtain receipts and have original evidence photocopied.