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End of year: Finalisation details provided on or before 1SD and not ready to make Enquiry decision
Section 18 allows you to make a decision provided that the claimant has responded to the S17 notice.
In this scenario you do not have enough evidence to make your Enquiry decision but you must not delay finalisation. As we do not have enough evidence to say that the claim is incorrect, finalise and renew, as appropriate, according to the claimants response.
Note: Even if the risks in your Enquiry, if proved, would end entitlement, you must renew at this stage - as you have not yet established the validity of that risk
- Continue with your enquiry
When you are ready to make a decision
- Open a S19 enquiry into PY and any other intervening year (where you amendment affects that year)
- Enter your decision into the Enquiry year
- Make any amendments needed to the intervening years
Then continue with the Enquiry until you are in a position to make a decision.
Once you are in a position to make a decision. Remember if your enquiry decision impacts on the finalised year, you will need to issue an opening letter for that year and allow enough time for the claimant to receive the notice.