Casework Skills Test Question 62 – Correcting an underpayment found during a routine review
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Practice focus: Own-initiative correction, arrears and accurate audit records
Difficulty: Medium
Scenario
During a routine review, you find that an earlier staff calculation omitted an eligible weekly amount for eight weeks. The evidence on file clearly supports the higher payment, and the customer has not complained. Guidance authorises you to correct clear official errors, calculate arrears and issue a revised decision after the normal accuracy check. The original decision and correction must remain visible in the audit history.
Rate the actions
For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.
Action A
Change the original calculation and decision date so the record appears to have been correct from the start, then release the arrears.
Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective
Action B
Recalculate the award, complete the accuracy check, issue a revised decision, arrange the arrears and explain the correction to the customer.
Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective
Action C
Leave the award unchanged unless the customer complains, because reopening a completed decision may create extra work.
Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective
Action D
Prepare the correction and ask a senior colleague for an additional check before release, even though the normal check is sufficient and this will delay payment by two days.
Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective
Click to reveal the answer
| Action | Correct rating |
|---|---|
| Action A | Counterproductive |
| Action B | Effective |
| Action C | Ineffective |
| Action D | Fairly Effective |
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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