CCM4330 - Pre-award examinations: Action: Accepting part of the claim

If after considering the customers reply, you are now able to accept part of the claim, you can make a decision based on your conclusions. For example the risks were an Undisclosed Partner and Child Care Costs high compared to income. The customer has convinced you they do not have a partner but they have overstated their child care costs. You will, therefore, accept their claim but will adjust the amount claimed for child care costs.

You must write to the customer(s) to let them know about your decision. You should always write to them even if you have spoken to them and explained to them the position on the phone.

You must use the standard letter template TCC73. The letter explains that you will be accepting part of their claim and they will soon receive a formal notification of their award.

Where the claim has been made by a couple in a joint household, only one letter should be sent addressed to both customers. When sending out joint letters the customers must still be part of a couple and residing at the same address. If they are part of a couple but residing at different addresses or no longer part of a couple, then a separate letter must still be sent to each customer.

If the customer has authorised an agent to act for them remember to send a copy of the letter to the agent.

You should take the necessary system action to make the award as soon as possible after you send the letter and close the case on TCW on the same day you make the decision. The system will send out an award notice. This decision is made under S14. The customer then has 30 days to appeal against your decision.

If the customer appeals, see CCM4345. If the customer does not appeal you can close the case.