CCM7020 - Discrepancy Examinations: Meaning of Discrepancy Examinations

Discrepancy examinations are carried out in-year to help claimants make correct claims and avoid building up debt. They will be identified through matching details of income in claim forms with our databases. Where there is a clear discrepancy between the claimant’s figures and our data, we will contact the claimant(s) to make sure the award is based on the correct amount of income. Discrepancy examinations are a form of educational compliance, and promote the enabling and encouraging strand of the compliance strategy.

The term “examination” is used to describe compliance work carried out in-year, to help our staff and claimants distinguish these cases from enquiries, which can only be made after the end of the year. Discrepancy examinations will only be made post-award, i.e. after the award has been put into payment. There will be no discrepancy examinations carried out pre-award.

This section contains guidance on how to handle cases in-year. It does not cover discrepancy enquiries carried out after the end of the year. Guidance on Discrepancy Enquiries can be found at CCM7300.