Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of the Risk Based Verification Policy, the aim of which was to target resources at higher risk cases and to remove the need for low risk claims to be evidenced beyond statutory requirements, in relation to housing benefit and council tax reduction scheme claims.

The report stated that the Department for Work and Pensions had issued guidance on this type of Policy and had advised that it should not be made publicly available. It also stated that the introduction of the Policy would allow greater efficiencies to be gained in processing by reducing the level of customer contact and correspondence flowing through the system.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, including an action plan to be undertaken following implementation of the Policy.

An Exempt Appendix set out details of the Policy.

Reasons:

To gain efficiencies in the benefit administrative process whilst increasing protection against fraudulent claims.