Outstanding Housing Benefit Overpayments
If you are contacted by SMS text, voicemail or email, please be aware that we are trialling these new methods of engaging with our customers.
An example of a text you may receive is shown above.
As always we would encourage you to be vigilant with any communication you receive, and if you are concerned in any way that something you receive from Wealden District Council is legitimate then please contact us, as below:
Housing Benefits Overpayment Team: 01323 443188 or email overpayments@wealden.gov.uk.
If any of your communication does not match these details above, please consider them as suspicious for security purposes.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Portal
The Revenues and Benefits Service now has a portal where you can access your Housing benefit and Council tax information online, such as awards, bills, any discounts or exemptions that have been applied to your account. You can check to see if the details we have are correct, and this saves sending you paper letters and bills. All you have to do is register or sign in.
Council Tax Reduction Terminal Illness Policy 2026-27
Wealden District Council has a new policy from the 1 April 2026 which outlines how it will use its discretionary powers under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to remove residual Council Tax liability for households affected by terminal illness and experiencing financial hardship. It ensures that households already assessed for Council Tax Reduction and facing end-of-life hardship are not left with remaining Council Tax to pay.
Eligibility Criteria:
-A valid SR1 form certified by a GP or medical professional has been submitted to the Council and accepted
-The household has been awarded Council Tax Reduction at less than 100%
-The applicant remains liable for Council Tax at the property
-The claim relates to the current financial year only
If you would like more information on the policy please contact the Council tax team on 01323 443385 or email localtax@wealden.gov.uk.
Updated February 2026