CCM4385 - Examinations: Examinations following a change of circumstances: The notification of change of circumstances cannot be accepted

Where you do not accept the notification of change of circumstances provided by the claimant you will make a S15 decision rejecting it.

You must write to the claimant(s) to let them know about your decision. You should always write to them even if you have spoken to them and explained the position on the phone.

You should use the standard letter template TCC88. The letter tells the claimant that you reject their notification and contain appeal rights

Where the claim has been made by a couple in a joint household, only one letter should be sent addressed to both claimants even if the change of circumstances only relates to one of the claimants. When sending out joint letters the claimants must still be part of a couple and residing at the same address. If they are part of a couple but residing at different addresses or no longer part of a couple, then a separate letter must still be sent to each claimant.

If the claimant has authorised an agent to act for them remember to send a copy of the letter to the agent.

You should close the case on TCW on the same day you make the decision. The claimant then has 30 days to appeal against your decision.

If the claimant appeals, see CCM4395. If the claimant does not appeal you can close the case - see CCOM20475.