Agenda item

(a)  That the use of a Risk Based Verification Policy for benefit claims and the policy at Appendix 1 be noted and agreed.

(b)  That it be agreed that if the policy is approved all new claims will be assessed using Risk Based Verification with effect from 1 October 2016.

A report was considered that sought approval for the introduction of a Risk Based Verification Policy (RBV) for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support benefit claims.  The Policy, at Appendix A to the report in Part II of the agenda, was considered without disclosing any exempt information.

The policy would help people to access the appropriate benefits and process claims more quickly by applying different levels of evidence verification to claims according to the potential risk associated with those claims.  It was voluntary and would streamline the process for lower risk claims allowing resources to be more targeted on processing more complex cases.  Arvato had been engaged and they were on board with the new approach.

Members discussed how the policy could assist in tackling benefit fraud and asked about the number of claimants likely to use the new system.  As the scheme was entirely voluntary the number who would chose to use it was unknown.  Claimants would need to provide their national insurance number and it was expected that the risk of fraud could be reduced overall by implementing the policy.  At the conclusion of the discussion the Cabinet agreed to adopt the use of Risk Based Verification Policy with effect from 1^st October 2016.

Resolved –

(a)  That the use of a Risk Based Verification Policy for benefit claims and the policy at Appendix 1 be noted and agreed.

(b)  That it be agreed that if all new claims will be assessed using Risk Based Verification with effect from 1 October 2016.