Exceptional Circumstances (COP 26) - Higher Officer Use Only (Info)
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As a Higher Officer (HO), you will consider claims where the
claimant indicates exceptional circumstances have prevented or
delayed them meeting their responsibilities under Code Of Practice
26 (COP 26).
Where this is the case, you become the decision maker and
must base your decision only on the information available.
If you decide you need further information before you can
make a decision, you should ask the caseworker to contact the
claimant for the additional information.
Although there is no official definition of exceptional
circumstances, the guidance in
COP 26 Responsibilities provides further background.
Each claim is individual and must be considered on its own
merits. This guidance leads you through the steps to take, but will
not tell you how to make a decision.
