asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
572.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 October 1981 and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 10 October, fourth day of incapacity. Payment of all disability benefit due to 21 November has been made. When details of his earning in 1979-80, the relevant tax year, are available pay-related benefit, if due, will issue.
There was a delay in payment in this case after the middle of October as the claim was originally made under his old insurance number. Payment was made under this number up to 13 October 1981. He subsequently submitted medical evidence under an RSI number which was only recently allocated by the local tax office. As he failed to notify my Department of the change, there was delay in associating the certificates with his claim.
573.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 29 April 1981 and has been paid from 2 May 1981, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit due to 28 November 1981 has issued.
According to the records of my Department payments issued on a regular basis following the receipt of medical evidence for the September-October period and there was no delay in the payment of benefit. However, if the claimant still contends that there were weeks for which she was not paid in this period arrangements can be made for the inspection by her of the paid cheques which issued to her.
574.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 May 1981 and has been paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 16 November 1981. His claim for disability benefit was disallowed from 17 November 1981 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He has been notified accordingly and of his right of appeal if dissatisfied with the decision.
575.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in taking a decision on the contributory old age pension application of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned was born on 18 January 1916 and accordingly will not reach the qualifying age for old age contributory pension until 18 January 1982 when he attains age 66 years. At that stage he will be qualified for pension based on the aggregation of his British and Irish insurance records which gives him a yearly average of more than the minimum of 20 contributions required to qualify for the pension. His entitlement to retirement pension, which is payable at age 65 years, has been investigated but, as the yearly average of British and Irish contributions of 21 is less than the minimum of 24 required to qualify, he is not entitled to such pension and he has been notified accordingly.