asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been paid disability benefit for the past three weeks; and when payment will be resumed.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
65.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 13 June 1980 but as inquiries were necessary to establish whether his incapacity arose out of an accident at work he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis pending completion of these inquiries. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 17 February 1981, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been paid.
The delay in payment which occurred in recent weeks was due mainly to the change-over from insurance numbers to RSI numbers for the purpose of the payment of benefit.
72.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the application for a widow's pension by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned has been awarded a non-contributory widow's pension at the maximum rate appropriate to a widow with no qualified children with effect from 5 December 1980. A pension book payable from 6 March 1981 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her. The arrears of pension will be paid after deduction of the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which has been paid to her.
73.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the claim for unemployment assistance, at the maximum rate, by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The appeal of the person concerned against the means assessment in his case has now been decided and the appeals officer has reduced the assessment of means to £2 weekly with effect form 26 November 1980. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of unemployment assistance due this week.
74.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway since 4 October 1980 despite the fact that he has submitted medical certificates covering the period; and if all arrears will be paid immediately.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit continuously from 6 March 1972 and is paid regularly each week, in advance of the receipt of medical evidence of incapacity which is required at monthly intervals only. On this basis payment to 7 March 1981 has already been made and there are no arrears due.