My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that reviews are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Carer's Allowance reviews take place in a number of circumstances as follows:-
- If the decision on a new claim is negative the customer has the option of a review
- Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews as part of its control strategy to ensure that there is continued entitlement
- A customer can at any stage request a review of their entitlement.
As outlined above, a wide range of reviews are carried out arising from customer requests, together with reviews undertaken by the Department. Where a customer requests a review of a decision, every effort is made to ensure that this request is progressed as quickly as possible.
Similar to new applications, a Deciding Officer (DO) makes the final decision on each review. A DO can be at a number of grades.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.