How is entitlement determined?
39.Whoever makes a determination of entitlement, the component parts of it are set out in section 50. In all cases, determining an individual’s entitlement to a given type of assistance will entail a decision about whether or not the individual has met the relevant eligibility criteria for that type of assistance (see subsection (1)(a)). The relevant eligibility criteria for each type of assistance will be set out in regulations (see the discussion of Chapter 2 of Part 2 below).
40.If the individual meets the eligibility criteria for the type of assistance in question, the next step in determining the individual’s entitlement is a decision about what assistance the individual is entitled to be given (see subsection (1)(b)). Again, this decision is to be taken in accordance with the regulations relevant to the type of assistance in question.
41.The decision to be taken under section 50(1)(b) described in the preceding paragraph is a decision about what assistance of the type in question the individual is entitled to be given at the time the decision is made. Section 50(1)(c) requires that, in certain circumstances, the person determining entitlement is to make a decision about the individual’s future, as well as present, entitlement to assistance. Those circumstances are to be set out in regulations under section 51. Where a determination of entitlement includes a decision about the individual’s future entitlement to assistance it is referred to in the Act as having been made on the basis that the individual has an ongoing entitlement to assistance (see paragraphs 42 to 45).
42.Where a determination is being made of an individual’s entitlement to assistance in respect of an event, section 50(1)(d) requires that as part of making the determination a decision is made about whether the individual has possibly applied for the assistance prematurely. A decision that an individual has possibly applied prematurely leaves the door open to the individual making a further application for assistance in respect of the same event. For further explanation of this point see paragraph 57 below.
