16Amending claims and providing further information

16 Amending claims and providing further information

(1) If an entity makes a claim under section 15, the entity may amend the claim before the end of the period allowed for making the claim under subsection 15 (1).

(2) If a claim does not satisfy the requirements of subsection 15 (4), the DAA may ask the entity to amend the claim to satisfy those requirements.

(3) If the DAA asks an entity to amend a claim under subsection (2), a payment right in respect of the claim cannot be granted until after the end of the extended period, unless, within the extended period, the entity, or a person acting on behalf of the entity:

(a) amends the claim; or

(b) notifies the DAA that the claimant does not want to amend the claim.

(4) If a claim does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph 15 (4) (b), the DAA may:

(a) ask the entity to provide further information; and

(b) ask the entity to verify any information contained in the claim, or any further information, by statutory declaration.

(5) If the DAA asks an entity to provide further information, or to verify information, under subsection (4), a payment right in respect of the claim cannot be granted unless:

(a) within the extended period, the entity, or a person acting on behalf of the entity, complies with the request; or

(b) the DAA is satisfied that the entity cannot comply with the request; or

(c) the DAA considers, after the end of the extended period, in the circumstances, that the right should be granted

(6) If a request under this section is sent by post, the entity is taken to have received the request 4 working days after the DAA posted it.

(7) In this section:

extended period, in relation to a claim, means the period ending at the later of:

(a) the end of the period for making the claim under subsection 15 (1); and

(b) the end of a period of 28 days after the entity receives the request under subsection (3) or (5) (whichever is relevant) or, if that period is extended under subsection (8), the period as so extended.

(8) If the DAA makes a request under subsection (2) or (4), the following apply:

(a) the DAA may, on application by the entity making the claim, extend the period of 28 days mentioned in paragraph (7) (b);

(b) the application to extend the period must be made within the 28 days;

(c) in determining the application, the DAA must have regard to (among other things) the effect that the extension will have on claims by other entities.