If you no longer get housing benefit
If you no longer get housing benefit from us, we will send you an invoice for the amount you owe. Payment can be made online.
If you do not pay we will send a final notification. If you are unable to pay the full amount, you can make an offer to pay by instalments.
Make alternative arrangements for payment
If you do not pay the invoice or make an arrangement to pay, further action will be taken:
Direct Earnings Attachment
We can ask your employer to deduct money from your pay until the overpayment is cleared. This is called a Direct Earnings Attachment (DEA). The amount that we can ask your employer to deduct is worked out nationally. Employees and employers can find more information on this, including calculating deductions, at GOV.UK: Make benefit debt deductions from an employee's pay: Calculating DEA - GOV.UK
Download the further guidance for employers
Attachment to Benefits
We can ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make deductions from any benefits you may receive from them.
Collection Agents
We can refer the debt to a collection agency who would then contact you directly.
County Court
We can register your debt with the County Court which would affect your credit rating.
Bankruptcy
If you owe us a large amount of money we may take steps to make you bankrupt.
