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Original poster

I owe UC a lot of money by recieving housing benefit I didn’t realise I was still getting

273 replies

Sunshine225 · 14/10/2025 06:45

So i was so poorly during my pregnancy with Hyperemisis. Then when I had my daughter I had a c section and have been struggling with my mental health due to illness during pregnancy and then continuing to have PPD. I didn’t realise I hadn’t changed my address (moved out January this year) and have been getting housing benefit for my old rented property. I have moved in with the father of my child’s dad as I had nowhere else to go and now I’m scared I’m going to get prosecuted for fraud. I have found this overpayment out and going to inform them and give them all the evidence to prove I didn’t realise and I’m so worried about the outcome. Has this happened to anyone else?

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 14/10/2025 06:49

Was it being paid directly to the landlord? First step to recovery is to pull it back from who they paid it too then you

Roundlucy · 14/10/2025 06:55

This all reads as being incredibly sketchy OP.

Get your story straight as this sounds like substantial and prolonged fraud

Original poster
Sunshine225 · 14/10/2025 06:55

It was being paid to me. But I wasn’t checking my statements so I didn’t realise, I thought I was just getting what I was entitled too, due to having a 5 month old and a 7 year old and not recieving mat pay as I didn’t qualify.@theunamedcat

OP posts:
Upsetbetty · 14/10/2025 06:56

ignorance is never usually acceptable as a reason. They will want the money back so you’ll just have to work with them on that.

Original poster
Sunshine225 · 14/10/2025 06:58

Roundlucy · 14/10/2025 06:55

This all reads as being incredibly sketchy OP.

Get your story straight as this sounds like substantial and prolonged fraud

How is it sketchy? I’ve been through a lot and did not realise I hadn’t reported the change due to mental illness, illness during pregnancy and having a newborn and another child to look after.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunshine225 · 14/10/2025 06:58

I never ignored it, I didn’t realise I was getting the payment for housing benefit until I checked my statements and now I am going out of my mind

OP posts:
Roundlucy · 14/10/2025 06:58

Sunshine225 · 14/10/2025 06:58

How is it sketchy? I’ve been through a lot and did not realise I hadn’t reported the change due to mental illness, illness during pregnancy and having a newborn and another child to look after.

Show quote history

Well fingers crossed UC see it like that 🤷‍♀️

To me, it’s sketchy

Roundlucy · 14/10/2025 06:58

Sunshine225 · 14/10/2025 06:58

I never ignored it, I didn’t realise I was getting the payment for housing benefit until I checked my statements and now I am going out of my mind

As I would be in your shoes

Roundlucy · 14/10/2025 07:00

You’ve spent it all?

Catsknowbest · 14/10/2025 07:01

I'm afraid that you will have to repay this. Its a clear overpayment. I'm a benefits adviser. You may also have to pay a penalty but your best option is to open dialogue immediately with the DWP. I don't see any basis from the brief information you gave for challenging the overpayment- the money will be owed back. Depending on what they decide they may allow repayment from current benefit. You may need to get advice from a local advice service eg CA.

Mymanyellow · 14/10/2025 07:02

How much was it? You do t have to say exactly but I’m struggling to see how you didn’t notice extra money.

TokyoSushi · 14/10/2025 07:03

Have you spent it all? How much was it?

Cornishskies · 14/10/2025 07:03

Try not to worry, I was significantly overpaid a family tax credit due to being self employed and underestimating our earnings. Once we realised I was able to pay back the overpayment monthly at a level I could afford.
It’s a mistake and you own up to it then they’ll work with you to recover the money in a way that you can manage I’m sure,

Upsetbetty · 14/10/2025 07:03

Not knowing = ignorance…it’s not accepted as an excuse for anything.

you will be asked to pay it back.

And I’ve said it on here before and I’ll say it again…it’s really funny how people never realise for ages that they are being overpaid but they realise instantly when they are a fraction underpaid. If circumstances change then usually money changes as no two situations = the same amount of money EXACTLY!

Original poster
Sunshine225 · 14/10/2025 07:04

Catsknowbest · 14/10/2025 07:01

I'm afraid that you will have to repay this. Its a clear overpayment. I'm a benefits adviser. You may also have to pay a penalty but your best option is to open dialogue immediately with the DWP. I don't see any basis from the brief information you gave for challenging the overpayment- the money will be owed back. Depending on what they decide they may allow repayment from current benefit. You may need to get advice from a local advice service eg CA.

Edited

I will absolutely repay and I will notify them. I noticed it before they have.

OP posts:
Catsknowbest · 14/10/2025 07:04

Cornishskies · 14/10/2025 07:03

Try not to worry, I was significantly overpaid a family tax credit due to being self employed and underestimating our earnings. Once we realised I was able to pay back the overpayment monthly at a level I could afford.
It’s a mistake and you own up to it then they’ll work with you to recover the money in a way that you can manage I’m sure,

Yes it can be resolved- the quicker you address it the sooner you'll know what they'll agree to.

Thingsthatgo · 14/10/2025 07:04

How much do you owe? Has it all gone? It must have felt like you had a fair amount of cash each month for additional spending.

TheBlueHotel · 14/10/2025 07:05

If it's your first fraudulent claim they will probably just make you pay it back from your UC. Don't panic. You'll have to find a way to increase your income though as you'll be really broke in comparison with what you've been living on.

cholesterol · 14/10/2025 07:05

How old is baby now? To be honest with HG you won’t have been able to think straight if you can give them proof of the diagnosis and explain they should be understanding. It will need to be repaid but they’ll work out a plan with you. I’ve had HG so totally get how you can lose track of everything Flowers

Catsknowbest · 14/10/2025 07:06

Upsetbetty · 14/10/2025 07:03

Not knowing = ignorance…it’s not accepted as an excuse for anything.

you will be asked to pay it back.

And I’ve said it on here before and I’ll say it again…it’s really funny how people never realise for ages that they are being overpaid but they realise instantly when they are a fraction underpaid. If circumstances change then usually money changes as no two situations = the same amount of money EXACTLY!

I think the OP realises that. The important thing now is to sort it.

herbalteabag · 14/10/2025 07:06

It must be quite a substantial amount of extra money so I can't see how you wouldn't notice, even without checking your statements. I can't see any other possibility apart from telling them immediately and paying it all back.

soupyspoon · 14/10/2025 07:06

You can come to an arrangement about how much you pay back.

You'll really need to get a grip in future of your income and outgoings and diary in a reminder to check your finances once a month or something so that you have a clear understanding of what is going on. Bit late now.

Danioyellow · 14/10/2025 07:06

You must have known you were getting housing benefit before you became ill though? And you knew you’d moved in with your partner. And you knew you hadn’t declared it. And you were aware you were still getting payments. It’s just not believable really. How much have you been overpaid?

ButWhysTheRumGone · 14/10/2025 07:07

UC are very strict on reporting any changes straight away. I don’t tell them m rent had increased because it wouldn’t affect my payments in any way. They referred it to a decision maker despite there being no overpayment or any implications to my claim. It took weeks for them to say it was ok and they wouldn’t do anything THIS TIME.
Im not sure how it’s possible to not realise you no longer qualify for housing benefit.

Original poster
Sunshine225 · 14/10/2025 07:08

cholesterol · 14/10/2025 07:05

How old is baby now? To be honest with HG you won’t have been able to think straight if you can give them proof of the diagnosis and explain they should be understanding. It will need to be repaid but they’ll work out a plan with you. I’ve had HG so totally get how you can lose track of everything Flowers

Baby is 5 months old. I was so poorly with it and they already know due to the sick notes I had to give when I was pregnanct. I have been suffering with ppd since she has been born aswell.

OP posts: