In case of overpayment of benefits, can they stop the following month's payment? Help pls!

[LadyBrioche]

Hey all

Under a name change so apologies.

Found out today that we won't be getting this month's housing benefit as apparently they have overpayed us by about a months worth. We've only been claiming since the start of the year All to do with they shouldn't have started it when they did, it should have been a month later...

I was always under the understanding that if an overpayment had been made they would take it off in increments over a course of time, and not stop a whole month's worth to claim it back??

This has left us totally up shit creek so any advice would be great...

Thanks in advance

From memory, if you work then they can take the overpayment back in one go but if you are purely on benefits then they should take gradually.

You can submit incomings/outgoings under the hardship rule and ask for a payment plan and see if they agree.

Not sure on housing rules but you can appeal on the basis that you would be left without enough income to meet the rent. Give them a call.

Hi both

Thanks for your replies. I work 28 hours a week, but DP doesn't, so you may well be right Happy

I think I will definately give them a a call Onadietcoke.

It's just so frustrating as we had so many prioblems and stress meeting the rent until we got the benefit, which lead to being >< this close to being evicted. All got sorted but on the proviso we (quite rightfully) meet our full payment each month on time...

Oops pressed post not preview. Just so frustrating that when we'd finally thought we'd got sorted, their sodding fuck up means we could be out.