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<p>Any decision to suspend a claim to benefit by the Risk Review Team is not made
lightly and includes an assessment of a person’s personal circumstances. Suspension
of benefit is a last resort and is based on the risk that a person may not be entitled
to benefit.</p><p> </p><p>Where a claim is suspended, we are unable to make any alternative
payments. In law, there is no right of appeal against a decision to suspend payment
of benefit.</p><p> </p><p>If it is determined there is entitlement to Universal Credit,
following the receipt of additional information and evidence from the claimant, the
suspension would be lifted immediately and we would always aim to pay benefits at
the earliest opportunity, including any arrears that may be due.</p><p> </p><p>Where
a review determines there is no entitlement to Universal Credit an outcome decision
will be made to that effect. This decision can be appealed.</p><p> </p><p>We make
all claimants aware of the evidence we need and the consequence of failing to provide
it within prescribed timescales. For any Universal Credit claim that is suspended
as a consequence of the Risk Review Team activity, the claimant is notified by journal
and text messages, along with a means by which they can contact the Department and
speak to the agent responsible for that case. At no time should claimants be unaware
of the action they need to take and how they may contact us to provide evidence.</p><p>
</p><p>The length of time a review may take to complete is largely dependent on the
engagement of the claimant and the timely provision of any information requested.
Claimants are asked to provide requested information within a 14-day window for digital
submissions, extended to 28 days if they have indicated a postal submission. Once
a customer engages with us, the time taken to complete a review is case specific,
dependant on the information provided. Once entitlement is established, payments are
put into payment as soon as possible.</p>
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