The first step in financial component processing is the creation of case decisions within a defined time period. This time period is defined by a from and to date passed into the eligibility and entitlement engine. To create case decisions within the defined time period, the eligibility and entitlement engine uses either a pattern date list or an event date list. The eligibility and entitlement engine works out the dates on the pattern date list, whereas the event date list is provided to the eligibility and entitlement engine.