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Publication - Publication

Pension Age Disability Payment decision making guide

Published
7 Aug 2025
Topic
Pension Age Disability Payment
Scheduled reviews

If there has been an increase in level of entitlement

This section covers scenarios where the individual reports a change of circumstances.

If the individual both

  • returns their review pack and reports an increase in need that leads to an increase in entitlement,
  • has already met the backwards test for this increase,

their change in entitlement will take effect on the date the case manager makes the determination without application (PADP regs, reg. 37(1)(e)).

Individuals must satisfy the backwards test before they can become entitled to an increased rate of PADP when their award is reviewed. For more information on the backwards test please refer to the Backwards Test chapter. Reference should also be made to the ‘Change of circumstances: change in care needs’ chapter for guidance on applying the backwards test appropriately.

Example – a client reports a change

The client returns their review pack on 1 February 2026, shortly after having received it. The client reports a change in circumstances and tells us that their level of needs increased from 1 January 2026.

A case manager picks this up to process in March 2026. After considering all the information they determine the award will increase. Following normal scheduled review rules, this would mean that the client’s increase would start from the date of determination. This would be March 2026.

However, the client has not yet met the backwards test for this increase on the date the case manager is ready to make a determination. The change in their level of needs was on 1 January 2026. They meet the backwards test for this on 1 July 2026. So, the increase in award should take effect from the 1 July 2026 when they first meet the backwards test.

Example – a client reports their changes late

The client returns their review pack on 1 February 2026, shortly after having received it. The client reports a change in circumstances and tells us that their level of needs increased on 15 June and 1 September 2025, respectively.

A case manager picks this up to process in March 2026. They make a new determination on 25 March. The award increases.

The client met the backwards test for their changes on 14 December and 2 March 2026, respectively.

As the determination was made later than that, this means the case manager uses the date of determination to set when any increase in award takes effect. This is on 25 March 2026.

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