Social welfare overpayments: what happens and what you can do

Get MABS (0818 07 2000) on side before agreeing a repayment rate, and check whether you were due a different payment over the same period.

What the Department must tell you

"The reason(s) for the overpayment The amount involved And The way the Department proposes to get back the amount that has been overpaid." "You must be notified in writing before deductions can take place."

How it's taken back

"15% can be taken from the personal weekly rate of your social welfare payment to pay back an overpayment." "Deductions of up to 15% can be also made from your earnings", and money can be taken from a bank account.

"If you cannot afford to repay the amount you were overpaid, the repayment may be reduced, deferred or suspended."

When it can be reduced or cancelled

The Department may reduce or cancel an overpayment if it "Failed to act within a reasonable period of time on information it received about you Made an mistake that you could not reasonably be expected to have noticed". Tell them in writing if you think it's their error.

"If you got a payment that you were not entitled to under one social welfare scheme, but would have been entitled to payments under another scheme, this will be taken into consideration in deciding how much you have to repay."

"The liability to repay overpayments may continue to exist after your death." You can appeal an overpayment decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Common questions

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