asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (name supplied) who was granted an increase of £8 per year in his disablement pension from the Department of Defence has had his social welfare benefit reduced by 15s per week as a result; and if he will make arrangements to revert to the original position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit Reduction.
15.
This man was entitled to a pension of 42s 6d per week when it became known that increases amounting to approximately £31 per annum in Special Allowance and Military Service pension had not been reported to the Department and not therefore taken into account in the assessment of his means for old age pension purposes. These increases brought his Special Allowance and Military Service Pension to over £151 of which £80 is disregarded when assessing means for old age pension and the rate of the latter pension now applicable is 32s 6d per week. Retrospective effect was not given to the decision reducing the pension.
The pensioner was paid 47s 6d per week for some weeks following the 1st April, 1966, due to the fact that a book was inadvertently issued to him at this rate instead of 42s 6d. The resulting overpayment is being recovered at the rate of 5s per week.