Oa No. 20 - Overpayments Of Compensation

COMCARE OPERATIONAL ADVICE NO. 20

OVERPAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION

Branch Heads

State Commissioners

Majors

State Executive Officer

Where an overpayment of compensation in excess of $2,000 arises the following procedure should be adopted.

Immediately the overpayment is detected whether by the Benefits Payment Team in Central Office or by State Office staff, the Assistant Commissioner, Program Delivery Branch should be advised of the full details of the overpayment ie:

.total amount of overpayment

.nature of overpayment (eg weekly benefit, lump sum impairment)

.how the overpayment was calculated.

If the overpayment is identified by State Office staff, the Assistant Commissioner Program Delivery Branch should be advised of the proposed action before that action is undertaken. If the Benefit Payment Team identifies the overpayment the information will be sought from the State Commissioner.

Central Executive will then decide in consultation with the relevant State Commissioner whether the overpayment is to be recovered and, if so in what way.

Any overpayment less than $2,000 can be dealt with locally but in consultation with Assistant Commissioner, Program Delivery Branch.

SUE HAMILTON

First Assistant Commissioner

16 March 1989