Appendix B: Analysis of decision notices
Clear, informative decision notices and letters
This section is about the quality of decision letters. Letters to claimants and other affected persons need to inform them clearly about decisions made, and explain the decision clearly enough for them to decide whether they might have grounds for appeal.
| Information to be included in decision notices | Present? 4 /6 /P |
BFI comment |
|---|---|---|
General |
||
Claimants' right to request written statement of reasons for the decision. |
4 |
Included in notes on reverse of letter. |
Time and method for doing so. |
4 |
Included in notes on reverse of letter. |
Right to apply for revision. |
4 |
Included in notes on reverse of letter. |
Time and method for doing so. For example, sought within one month of date of notification of decision. |
4 |
Within one month of date of letter. |
Statement of weekly eligible rent. |
4 |
|
Amount and explanation of fuel deductions, if applicable. Fuel charge can vary if alternative evidence is provided. |
4 |
|
Amount and category of non-dependant deductions. |
4 |
|
The weekly rate of Rent Rebate or Rent Allowance. |
4 |
|
The first day of Rent Allowance or Rent Rebate entitlement. |
4 |
|
Period for which payment is to be made. |
4 |
|
Date of payment. |
4 |
|
Benefit period end date. |
4 |
|
| Information to be included in decision notices | Present? 4 /6 /P |
BFI comment |
|---|---|---|
Duty to notify changes of circumstances. |
4 |
Included in notes on reverse of letter with examples but does not illustrate consequences. |
Additionally for non-IS or JSA(IB) cases |
|
|
Applicable amount and how it has been calculated. |
4 |
|
Earned income. |
4 |
|
Non-earned and other income. |
4 |
|
For non-qualifiers |
|
|
Statement as to why there is no entitlement. |
4 |
|
For direct payments to landlords |
|
|
Amount of HB to be paid. |
4 |
|
Date from which HB is to be paid. |
4 |
|
Landlord's duty to inform of known changes in circumstances. |
4 |
|
Power to recover overpayments from landlords, including power to recover from HB paid in respect of other tenants. |
4 |
|
For overpaid cases |
|
|
That the overpayment is recoverable. |
6 |
This is sent on a separate letter after the notification that benefit has ceased. |
Why the overpayment is recoverable. |
6 |
The letters do not fully explain why the overpayment is recoverable, just that it will be recovered. |
Amount of the recoverable overpayment. |
4 |
|
How the overpayment is calculated. |
6 |
This is shown on some, but not all of the examples of notification letters used by Rhondda Cynon Taf. Letters relating to overpaid CTB do not show the calculation. |
The period the overpayment relates to. |
4 |
|
If recovery is through ongoing benefit, the fact that deductions are being made and the amount of the deductions. |
4 |
|
If recovery is to be made from a landlord, the landlord's notice should identify on whose behalf the recoverable amount was paid and the claimant, if these are different. |
4 |
|
Source: BFI analysis