Client advises of a change more than 14 days after the event
As clients have an obligation to advise MSD of any changes that may affect their entitlement to Temporary Additional Support, it is expected they will do so within a reasonable period.
As a guideline, a reasonable period is considered to be within 14 days of the date their costs change.
For clients who have a change in formula-assessed Child Support costs, they generally must notify MSD within 14 days of the date Inland Revenue notifies them of the change. This is likely to be a different date from the date their costs changed.
Good and sufficient reason
When there is a good and sufficient reason (for example, bereavement or illness) for the client not advising MSD of a change in circumstances within 14 days, you may reduce, suspend or cancel Temporary Additional Support from the first available date.
No good and sufficient reason
When a client advises of a change in circumstances more than 14 days after the event and does not have a good and sufficient reason, you should generally reduce, suspend or cancel Temporary Additional Support from the actual date of the change in circumstances and establish an overpayment where appropriate.
If a client advises MSD of a decrease in their formula-assessed Child Support costs more than 14 days after the date Inland Revenue notifies them of the change, without a good and sufficient reason for the delay, you should generally reduce, suspend or cancel Temporary Additional Support from the date the client was notified of the change.
You may need to establish an overpayment if appropriate.
False or misleading information
If a client gives false or misleading information you must review Temporary Additional Support from the actual date of the change in circumstances and establish an overpayment if appropriate.
Legislation
- Beneficiary must notify change of circumstances section 113 Social Security Act 2018
- Review of entitlement to, or rate of, benefit granted Part 6, subpart 3 Social Security Act 2018
