If you can’t afford your benefit repayments, perhaps because your circumstances have changed, it’s important to act. Find out what to do if you’re finding it hard to repay a benefit debt.
If this is your only debt
If your future income is uncertain and you don’t have enough to live on because of the repayments, you can ask for them to be reduced.
If you’re repaying a Universal Credit advance payment
Call the Universal Credit Helpline or log into your online account and add a note to your journal asking for your repayments to be reduced. The repayments can also be deferred in some circumstances.
Report changes or contact the Universal Credit helpline if you think you've been overpaid (in England, Scotland and Wales).
Phone: 0800 328 5644Opens in a new window.
Relay UK (formerly Textphone): 18001Opens in a new window then 0800 328 1344Opens in a new window.
8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Or log into your online accountOpens in a new window on GOV.UK and add a note to your journal.
If you’re in Northern Ireland
Phone: 0800 012 1331Opens in a new window.
Relay UK (formerly Textphone): 18001Opens in a new window then: 0800 012 1441Opens in a new window.
9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
If you’re repaying any other benefit or tax credit debt
Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Debt Management contact centre.
To make a repayment, contact the DWP Debt Management contact centre:
Contact the Debt Management team for more information about what they doOpens in a new window and how they can help.
If you live in Northern Ireland, contact the Department for Communities Debt Management ServiceOpens in a new window
If you have other debts
Benefit debt is classed as a priority debt. This means the consequences of not paying it off can be more serious than others. Other priority debts include rent and mortgage arrears, overdue energy bills and unpaid Council Tax and TV Licence bills.
If you’ve missed more than one payment or are juggling other debts, it’s important to pay them off in the right order as some are more urgent and some creditors have more power than others.
To find out which debts to deal with first, read our guide How to prioritise your debts
Are you struggling with payments?
Use our Debt advice locator tool to find free and confidential debt advice online, over the phone or near to where you live.
How to challenge an overpayment decision
If you’ve been told about a new overpayment that you don’t agree with, you might be able to ask for the decision to be looked at again and appeal against it.
Find out how to challenge a benefits decisionOpens in a new window on Citizens Advice.
Find out more about repaying benefits in our guide Where can I get help and advice about benefits?
Extra support if you’re struggling financially and with your mental wellbeing
Having mental health issues might mean that you struggle to make the best money-based decisions for you, as well as act on them.
Find help
If you’re feeling very low or suicidal because of your money worries, talk to someone. Call 999Opens in a new window if you’re in immediate danger or give the Samaritans a call on 116 123Opens in a new window.
Find practical tips on how to manage financially and where to get free specialist help in our guide Money problems and mental wellbeing
Remember, if you’re struggling financially and with your mental wellbeing, it’s worth getting in contact with your bank, building society, lender or whoever you owe money to, to discuss your options.
However, picking up the phone and talking about your problems is often easier said than done when you’re struggling with your mental health.
To get practical tips on how you can talk to those you owe money to, check out our guide How to have a conversation about money
Most places that you owe money to have policies about supporting you if you’re vulnerable. But they can’t help you unless you ask.
