Waverley Borough Council

FAQs: Benefits

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Benefits FAQs

Q: How long is my benefit claim valid for?

Q: I have already filled out a form given to me by Department for Work and Pensions or the Pension Service do I have to fill in another one?

Q: What does DWP stand for?

Q: When and how are my original documents returned to me?

Q: How long will it take to process my application?

Q: How will I know a decision has been made on my claim?

Q: Do I have to fill in two forms if I want to claim housing benefit and council tax support?

Q: Can a benefit claim be backdated?

Q: When will my claim be paid from?

Q: Can I claim housing benefit if the property I rent is owned by a relative?

Q: I am a private tenant how will I get paid?

Q: I am a private tenant and I have not got a bank account, what should I do?

Q: Will the council take the applicants debt into consideration when looking at a housing benefit claim?

Q: What is an overpayment?

Q: Will I have to repay the overpayment?

Q: Why do overpayments happen?

Q: What if I disagree with the overpayment?

Q: I am a Council Tenant, how do I pay back a Housing Benefit overpayment?

Answer:

If you continue to receive Housing Benefit we will make a weekly deduction from your entitlement until the overpayment has been recovered. We will tell you how much the deduction is. The minimum benefit we can pay you after deduction is £0.50 per week.

If you no longer receive Housing Benefit and the overpayment is less than £500 the overpayment will need to be paid either in full or in agreed instalments on top of your rent. Please agree this with your Rent Account Officer.

If the overpayment is more than £500 you will receive an invoice. This will need to be paid in full or by agreed instalments with the Housing Benefit recovery team.  

Contact the Housing Benefit recovery team

Housing Benefit recovery team contact details:

Tel: 01483 523022

Email: hbrecovery@waverley.gov.uk.

Answer Updated by Penny Anderson, 13/10/2010 12:11

Q: I am a tenant of a private landlord, how do I pay back a Housing Benefit overpayment?

Q: Is there a life span before an overpayment can no longer be recovered?

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