You can pay a Housing Benefit overpayment in many ways, including online, direct debit, by phone, or at a Paypoint facility.
Online by debit or credit card
Paying online is the quickest and easiest method to make a repayment.
You will need to quote your invoice number.
Over the telephone
You can call the automated payment line on 0300 1234 200 (option 5).
You will need to quote your invoice number.
In person
You can pay in person at any shop that has a paypoint facility. If you choose this option you need to take your invoice with you as there is a bar code on it they will need to scan.
Find your nearest paypoint facility
Payment plan
If you are having difficulty paying us back we may be able to agree a payment plan.
To request a payment plan, please complete the online form below:
If a payment plan is agreed we will usually ask you to pay by direct debit. All the normal Direct Debit safeguards and guarantees apply when you set up an instruction online. No changes in the amount, date or frequency of a payment can be made without notifying you. This must be at least 10 working days in advance of your account being debited. In the event of any error, you are entitled to an immediate refund from your Bank or Building Society. You have the right to cancel a Direct Debit Instruction at any time. Simply write to your Bank or Building Society, and send a copy of the letter to us.
Amend your direct debit details
In order to amend existing direct debit details, you will need to have a self-service account, if you are not already signed up for this you can register for an online account.
You can change your existing direct debit details by using the pay by direct debit form. Just complete it with your new details, and we will make all the changes for you.
If you have any queries about your overpayment please call one of the team on 01209 614337 or email overpayments@cornwall.gov.uk
What happens if you don't pay
If you don't pay us back, make an arrangement to pay or keep making regular payments as agreed, we will either:
- Contact your employer and ask them to make payments from your earnings directly to the Council. This is called a direct earnings attachment.
- Ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make deductions from your other benefits. This is called an attachment of benefits.
- Pass your case to external debt collection agency.
- Obtain a County Court Judgement which will add extra costs onto your existing debt. This will also affect your credit rating.
- If you are a landlord and you have other tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit being paid directly to you we can recover the overpayment from the future benefit payments of any other tenant(s). If you would like to this happen straight away please advise the overpayments section on 01209 614337.