Grants Scheme appeals policy

The appeals policy defines how Grants Scheme appeals shall be managed by CITB. This policy promotes efficiency, fairness and consistency in determining Grants Scheme appeals.

An Employer may appeal a rejected grant claim if ALL outstanding Levy Returns have been correctly completed and submitted to CITB and ALL levy liability has been paid in full or there are arrangements in place to pay the Levy.

There is no right of appeal against a rejected grant claim where:

• the training or qualification does not meet the grant eligibility criteria;
• the learner or apprentice undertaking the training or qualification is not eligible to receive grant (for example where the learner or apprentice is not employed at the time of training or has already reached their maximum grant allocation for a specific grant type);
• the Employer is not eligible for grant (for example where an Employer has already reached the maximum grant allocation for a specific grant type or ceased to trade at the point when the training or achievement was completed);
• the provider supplying the training is not approved or does not meet the Grants Scheme eligibility criteria;
• the training or qualification that the grant is being claimed for has not been undertaken, completed, passed or achieved by the learner or apprentice;
• grant support for a learner or apprentice has already been received for the training or qualification being claimed; or
• there is insufficient evidence to support the grant application.

• Appeals are only allowed in respect of grant claims for the current Grants Scheme Year or the preceding closed Grants Scheme year only.
• Appeals must be received within 90 days from the date of receipt of the notification of the rejected grant claim or as otherwise agreed by CITB in writing (“First Appeal”).
• Where a further appeal (“Second Appeal”) is submitted by the Employer, this must be received within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notification of the outcome of the First Appeal.

First and Second Appeals must be submitted in writing setting out in detail the grounds of the appeal together with all supporting documentation and sent either via email to GrantsScheme.Appeals@citb.co.uk or by letter to CITB, Box 30, C/O SSCL, Phoenix House, Newport, NP10 8FZ.

Further information may be requested in order to progress the First or Second Appeal. Any request for further information must be supplied by the Employer within 14 days from the date of the request or as otherwise agreed in writing by CITB. Failure to provide the information requested shall result in CITB continuing the appeal process.

• Appeals shall be considered within 30 days of receipt of the written submissions and supporting documentation provided by the Employer. CITB has a further 30 days to notify the Employer of the outcome of the First Appeal. There shall be no representation in person.
• If the appeal is successful, payment of grant shall be made in accordance with the Grants Scheme terms and conditions provided all outstanding Levy Returns have been received and all Levy has been paid or arrangements are in place to pay.
• As CITB Levy and Grant are two distinct schemes, whilst CITB’s current financial operating system automatically sets off grant against outstanding Levy liability, once it is replaced, grant payments shall no longer be set off against Levy liability, save for in exceptional circumstances.
• Subject to any reduction or withdrawal of grant payments and/or rates, grants (excluding apprenticeship grants) will be paid at the rate given in the Grant type specifications at the time the training took place or the qualification was achieved.
• CITB reserves the right to withhold grant payments during the period in which an Employer has a pending grant appeal.
• CITB retains the right to extend the time period for the First Appeal process and any extension of time will be communicated to the Employer in writing.

• If an Employer is not satisfied with the outcome of the First Appeal, they have the right to submit a Second Appeal.
• The Second Appeal must be made in writing setting out in detail further information together with supporting documentation that the Employer wants CITB to consider which is new and was not submitted as part of the First Appeal.
• The Second Appeal shall be reviewed within 90 days of receipt of the further submission by the Employer. CITB shall notify the Employer of the outcome of the Second Appeal within 30 days after the review period. For the avoidance of doubt, the maximum period of time for the Employer to receive the outcome of the Second Appeal is 120 days (comprising of up to 90 days to review the Second Appeal and further documentation and a further 30 days to notify Employer of the outcome).
• The outcome of the Second Appeal shall be final.
• Should a review be successful, payment of grant shall be made in accordance with the Grants Scheme terms and conditions provided all outstanding Levy Returns have been received and all outstanding Levy has been paid or arrangements are in place to pay.
• Subject to any reduction or withdrawal of grant payments and/or rates, grants (excluding apprenticeship grants) will be paid at the rate given in the Grant type specifications at the time the training took place or the qualification was achieved.
• CITB reserve the right to withhold payment of grant during the period in which an Employer has a pending grant appeal.
• CITB retains the right to extend the time period for the Second Appeal process and any extension of time will be communicated to the Employer in writing.