Benefit overpayments

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How to make a repayment

How you pay back the overpayment depends on:

  • whether you’re making repayments for the first time or restarting them
  • whether you still receive benefits

There’s a different process for tax credits overpayment and Child Benefit overpayment, or if you’ve been overpaid by Social Security Scotland or the Department for Communities (DfC).

Start making repayments if you’re still receiving benefits

If you’re still receiving benefits, the regular amount you get will be reduced until you’ve paid back the money.

Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Debt Management contact centre if you think too much has been taken for a repayment.

Start making repayments if you no longer receive benefits

You’ll get a letter from DWP Debt Management explaining how to repay and manage benefit money you owe. You can pay back the overpayment in full or set up regular monthly payments.

Get help with your repayments

Contact DWP Debt Management if you need help managing your repayments. They can talk you through your options, including what you can afford to pay.

DWP Debt Management contact centre
Telephone: 0800 916 0647
Textphone: 0800 916 0651
NGT text relay (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 916 0647
Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users - check you can use the service
Calling from abroad: +44 (0)161 904 1233
Monday to Friday, 8am to 7:30pm
Find out about call charges

If you do not pay back the money

If you do not pay back the money or contact the DWP Debt Management contact centre, they may:

If your case is passed to an independent debt collector

You’ll get a letter to tell you about this from one of the following debt collection agencies:

  • Advantis
  • BPO Collections
  • CCS Collect
  • Moorcroft
  • Past Due Credit
  • Resolve Call
  • Shakespeare Martineau

You should deal directly with the debt collector to arrange repayment.

If your case is passed to the DWP Debt Enforcement Team

You’ll get a letter from the team asking you to set up a repayment plan.

If you do not contact the team or if you do not follow your repayment plan, the team will submit a claim against you to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The team will add extra costs to the money you owe.

You’ll then need to repay all the money you owe within 6 months or the team will apply for a county court judgment.

If you get a county court judgment:

  • the court will add more costs to the money you owe
  • your credit score will be affected for up to 6 years

The DWP Debt Enforcement Team may also take further action, like taking money directly from your wages.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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