If you don't tell the Housing Executive when your personal circumstances change you may end up receiving more housing benefit than you are entitled to. You will usually have to pay back this money.

• When can the Housing Executive claim the money back?
• Can I appeal the Housing Executive's decision?

When can the Housing Executive claim the money back?

You must tell the Housing Executive when your circumstances change. For example, you must tell the Housing Executive if:

• someone leaves home
• you or someone in your home starts work
• you or someone in your home starts claiming a new benefit
• your rent changes
• your income changes.

The Housing Executive will recalculate your housing benefit based on your new circumstances.

If you don't tell the Housing Executive about your new circumstances, you may be paid too much housing benefit. You will will usually have to pay back the extra housing benefit except when:

• the Housing Executive has made a mistake, and
• you couldn't have known that you were getting too much housing benefit, and
• you didn't contribute to the Housing Executive making a mistake.

The Housing Executive must write to you explaining how it plans to get the money back from you.

Get advice if you have been paid too much housing benefit and you are unsure of your rights.

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Can I appeal the Housing Executive's decision?

You can appeal the Housing Executive's decision. There are four stages to an appeal:

• written explanation of the decision
• internal review of the decision
• independent appeal tribunal
• complain to the Ombudsman or ask for a judicial review.

Housing benefit can be very complicated. Get advice if you are having problems with your housing benefit.

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