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Housing Benefit overpayments

How to repay Housing Benefit overpayment

You must pay the full amount back within 14 days of receiving the invoice.

If you can't repay it, you must contact us straight away so we can arrange repayments which suit your financial circumstances. You can contact us by calling 01642 726006 or emailing hbop@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

Our phone lines are open Monday and Wednesday (10am to 4:30pm), and Friday (10am to 4pm). They are closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Set up monthly payments (available 24 hours)

If you want to set up regular payments, you can use the HBOP arrangement to pay form.

You'll need to enter the amount you've been overpaid, then decide how quickly you can repay it. You can choose from 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, or more than 12 months. If you repay it over a shorter amount of time, your monthly repayments will be more.

For example, for an overpayment of £1,000, you could choose to repay:

  • over 6 months - £166.67 per month
  • over 9 months - £111.11 per month
  • over 12 months - £83.33 per month

One-off payment form (available 24 hours)

You can repay your Housing Benefit overpayment all in one go by using the online payment form.

You can also use the online payment form to make repayments which suit your circumstances - for example, paying what you can afford, when you can afford it.

The amount you pay will be credited to the account you chose. This will normally be done on the next working day.

You'll need to have the following details ready when you call:

  1. Your invoice number (including any 0s), for example 0012345
  2. Your debit or credit card details
  3. The amount you want to repay

Payment by phone (available 24 hours)

If you want to repay your Housing Benefit overpayment by phone please call 01642 726726 at any time and have the following details ready:

  • your invoice number (including any 0s), for example 0012345
  • your debit or credit card details
  • the amount you want to repay

Please note, you'll get a unique reference number when you make your payment - remember to keep a record of this.

Payment by Direct Debit

If you don't already pay by Direct Debit but would like to do so, you can call 01642 726006 and we'll set up your Direct Debit immediately. Please remember to have all your bank details ready when you call.

Our phone lines are open Monday and Wednesday (10am to 4:30pm), and Friday (10am to 4pm). They are closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

If you cannot call us during those hours, you can get in touch with us by emailing HBOP@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

We have a flexible approach to Direct Debits, and we offer a range of payment dates to suit your circumstances.

Payment by standing order

You can make repayments directly from your bank or building society account by standing order.

Please contact the Overpayment Recovery Section on 01642 726006 so we can fill in the paperwork for you. Our phone lines are open Monday and Wednesday (10am to 4:30pm), and Friday (10am to 4pm). They are closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

We'll write to you to confirm the arrangement and our bank details. You'll then need to take this letter to your bank or building society, and they'll set up the standing order on your bank account.

Pay in person

You can pay by taking your invoice and your payment to the Customer Centre at Middlesbrough House.

Payment by Post Office or PayPoint

You can also pay at any Post Office or establishment displaying the PayPoint logo. This service is free. You'll need to take your invoice, which shows the barcode on the front, with you. You'll get a separate receipt which you should keep as proof of payment.

If you pay by cheque at a Post Office, the cheque should be crossed and made payable to 'Post Office Counters Ltd'.

You can find your nearest Post Office or find your nearest PayPoint online.

Payment by post

Cheques and postal orders should be crossed and made payable to 'Middlesbrough Council', and forwarded to:

Revenue Services
PO Box 2
Middlesbrough House
50 Corporation Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 2YL

You must not send cash through the post.

Post-dated and third party cheques, or cheques on non-standard stationary, will not be accepted. Please state your invoice number when sending payment.

We are not responsible for payments lost in the post.