Justifying a decision to set a review date or choose an Indefinite Award

If you choose to set a review date, you should justify your reasoning in the decision report. For example:

You experienced a left-sided partial anterior circulation stroke three months ago. You are undergoing an intensive period of rehabilitation involving a multi disciplinary team including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. It is likely that this will impact upon your level of need. Therefore, an award with a review period of two years is appropriate.

Similarly, if you choose to make an indefinite award, you should justify your reasoning. For example:

You have dementia and require round-the-clock assistance from your paid carer and a family member with a number of bodily functions. It is likely that your condition will progress over time and your needs will be highly unlikely to reduce. You are already in receipt of the highest rate of the care component and the higher rate of the mobility component. This means that an increase in needs would not result in an increase of award. Therefore, an indefinite award is appropriate.

You should justify the length of the review period with reference to any and all relevant facts that you have taken into consideration. For more information on how to justify a determination in the decision report, please refer to operational guidance.