4.1 - Administrative Error

When a client receives assistance in excess of their eligibility as a result of an Administrative or System Error, an overpayment will be created. All errors will be corrected so as to ensure the accuracy of the information in NB Case.

An overpayment due to administrative error will only be pursued when it is identified and a correction initiated within 35 days from when the administrative error was made.  

When clients received less than they were eligible for as a result of an Administrative or System Error the error will be corrected and a payment will be issued.

• Clients will be eligible for a retroactive mayment for up to twelve months prior to the detection of the error.
• Applicants will be eligible for a retroactive payment for up to twelve months prior to the case start date.
• Cheques will not be issued to clients in closed cases.

The only exception to this policy is in the case of an invalid source deduction. In the case where an overpayment was created in error, and the client source deducted, then once the overpayment is fixed the client is entitled to receive a cheque equal to all source deductions recovered in error.

In cases where the overpayment was for a period of greater than 12 months, 2 cheques will be issued; one for the period of the last 12 months and one for the period previous to that. Case managers must assess the client's eligibility to receive the payment on a case by case basis.