Change in costs
You will need to review Community Costs to ensure that the client is receiving the correct rate of payment whenever there is a change in the client's costs such as when the amount of a cost increases or reduces.
Any increase in the client's costs in the community must be verified. You will need to be satisfied that the increase in costs is for an ongoing essential item that is currently included in the client's Community Costs payment. For example the client is receiving Community Costs for storing their furniture and they have received notice that the storage fees have increased.
For more information see:
Date to review
The date to review Community Costs from will depend on the action involved. Generally, you should:
Increase
- increase Community Costs from the actual date of the change in circumstances
Reduce, suspend or cancel
- reduce, suspend or cancel Community Costs from the first available date except when the client advises of a change more than 14 days after the event
False or misleading information
If a client gives false or misleading information you must review Community Costs from the actual date of the change in circumstances and establish an overpayment where appropriate.
Legislation
- Review of entitlement to, or rate of, benefit granted Part 6, subpart 3 Social Security Act 2018
