You usually have one month from the decision to request a mandatory reconsideration. Set out clearly why you don't think the money was overpaid.
If the reconsideration is refused, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Free help is widely available from Citizens Advice and specialist welfare rights teams.
Even where an overpayment is correct, you can still ask for a lower recovery rate or, in cases of hardship, a temporary pause.
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