Notional income - how long?

rogerblack

cannyshopper wrote: »

Wondering aloud what sort of discretion the assessors have, in deciding what constitutes deliberate deprivation. Presumably they have some written guidelines (no doubt confidential) but it seems that the claimant's attitude also influences their decision.

If there are any guidelines, they are unwritten.
The decision does not have to be - as I've said above - 'beyond a reasonable doubt' - this gives assessors extraordinary freedom.
Both what they consider extravagant and if they consider that it was done for benefits purposes varies enormously.
Reportedly, some are fine with foreign holidays in some circumstances, and others have requested grocery receipts.

There is no second-tier of verification for DMs - that the decision should be consistent between DMs. This is not checked at all. Only if their decision is clearly in error will it be revised.
Deciding differently from the guy on the next desk is not an error.