Casework Skills Test Question 42 – Deciding a backdating request supported by different dates
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Practice focus: Evidence interpretation, clarification and reasoned dates
Difficulty: Hard
Scenario
A customer asks for support to be backdated to 1 March. Their application says an illness began on 12 March. A medical letter says symptoms were present in late February but that the customer became unable to work from 14 March. Guidance allows backdating from the date the qualifying impact began, where supported by evidence. The customer has not explained why 1 March is claimed.
Rate the actions
For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.
Action A
Ask the customer to explain the 1 March date, assess when the qualifying impact began using all the evidence and record clear reasons for the date selected.
Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective
Action B
Use the late-February reference because it is the earliest date mentioned in any document.
Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective
Action C
Use 14 March because it is the clearest date on which the medical evidence shows the illness affected the customer's ability to work.
Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective
Action D
Refuse all backdating because the dates are inconsistent and the customer cannot prove exactly when the illness began.
Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective
Click to reveal the answer
| Action | Correct rating |
|---|---|
| Action A | Effective |
| Action B | Counterproductive |
| Action C | Fairly Effective |
| Action D | Ineffective |
Members can unlock the full explanation for all four actions, including how evidence, fairness, confidentiality, customer impact and authority affect each rating.
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