Advises more than 14 days after the event

As clients have an obligation to advise Work and Income of any changes that may affect their entitlement to Away from Home Allowance it is expected that they will do so within a reasonable period. As a guideline, a reasonable period is considered to be within 14 days.

Therefore, when a client advises of a change in circumstances more than 14 days after the event you should generally reduce, suspend or cancel Away from Home Allowance from the actual date of the change in circumstances and establish an overpayment where appropriate.

Where there is a good and sufficient reason (for example, bereavement or illness) for the client not advising Work and Income of a change in circumstances within 14 days you may reduce, suspend or cancel Away from Home Allowance from the first available date.

Note if the client gives false or misleading information you must review Away from Home Allowance from the actual date of the change in circumstances and establish an overpayment where appropriate.