asked the Mininster for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit and pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
15.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 January 1983 to 19 March 1983 after which date she was certified fit to resume work.
Her claim was disallowed initially because, according to the records of my Department, she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or creditied in 1981-82, the contribution year governing her claim. Only six credited contributions were recorded in respect of her at that stage. She was informed of this on 12 January 1983 and asked to supply details of any insurable employment in 1981-82 but she did not reply.
She claimed unemployment benefit on 17 May and, as she was not qualified for payment of this benefit on her 1981-82 record, she was again requested to supply details of any insurable employment she had in that year. A P. 60 was received in the Dungloe Employment Exchange on 23 May 1983 which showed that she had a total of 52 A1 contributions paid in 1981-82.
A cheque for £464.06 representing disability benefit for the period from 7 January 1983, the fourth day of incapacity, and pay-related benefit from 18 January, the thirteenth day of incapacity, to 19 March 1983 was issued on 27 May 1983.
16.
asked the Mininster for Social Welfare when social welfare benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit due to 18 May 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received. He is not entitled to payment of pay-related benefit as he has insufficient earnings in the relevant income tax year.
17.
asked the Mininster for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The claim of the person concerned to deserted wife's allownce-benefit was disallowed because her means exceeded the statutory limit of £36 per week. The limit of £36 per week applies to a woman under 66 years of age with no children. She was notified of the decision on 28 April 1983 and of her right to appeal if dissatisfied.
She has appealed against the decision and a form on which to set out all the facts and contentions on which she relies in support of the appeal has been issued to her. On return of the form, duly completed, her case will be submitted to an appeals officer.
18.
asked the Mininster for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed old age contributory pension in April 1982. Since he will not reach old age pension age of 66 years until 28 August 1983 his claim was treated as a claim for retirement pension.
He does not, however, qualify for retirement pension under Irish legislation nor does he qualify under EEC regulation on social security as he does not satisfy the condition which requires him to have a yearly average of at least 24 qualifying contributions over the required period which, in his case is from 5 January 1953 to 5 April 1982. He has a total of 264 Irish contributions in this period which is equal to a yearly average of 9. He also had 160 British contributions giving him a combined yearly average of 14. He was informed accordingly and advised to claim a non-contributory old age pension three months prior to reaching age 66. There is no record of receipt of a claim for a non-contributory pension from him so far.
19.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The claim of the person concerned has been referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of a pension has not been recommended by the social welfare officer as the assessment of her means, consisting of a British retirement pension is in excess of the statutory limit of £38 per week.
If the claimant is dissatisfied with the decision of the pension committee she will have the right of appeal against it.
20.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 8 March 1982 and was paid a total of 52 weeks' benefit to 9 March 1983 based on his insurance record in the 1980-81 contribution year. From 10 March 1983, his entitlement to disability benefit depended on his 1981-82 insurance record and payment was interrupted while inquiries were being made to establish his entitlement to benefit from that date.
When it was ascertained that he was qualified for continued payment of disability benefit on his 1981-82 insurance record the outstanding benefit payable, less the amount advanced by way of supplementary welfare allowance, was issued on 27 May 1983.
Further payments of benefit will issue as medical evidence is received.
23.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal is not in receipt of a contributory old age pension.
24.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the rate of old age pension payable to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was reduced while the aggregate of his UK and Irish income is below the standard Irish old age pension.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together as they refer to the same person. There is no record of a claim for old age contributory pension having been received from the person concerned. If he considers that he might qualify for the pension he should submit an application. The appropriate form can be obtained at any post office.
The position regarding his non-contributory old age pension is that he is in receipt of pension at the rate of £22.45 per week plus £2.70 living alone allowance. The assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of a British retirement pension and a holding entitles him to pension at this rate. His old age pension was last reduced in May 1982 following an increase in his British pension. A recent review of his case to take account of the November 1982 increase in his British pension did not result in any further reduction. His overall income, from his holding and British and Irish pensions is greater than the maximum single rate of either old age contributory or non-contributory pension.
25.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
It has not been possible for the information supplied to trace a benefit claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number or the Social Insurance number of the claimant can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied.
26.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 9 December 1982 following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and, in connection with his appeal, he was examined on 17 February 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work.
His case was then referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer held an oral hearing of the case at which the cliamant was present. Following the hearing the appeals officer decided that the claimant was capable of work during the period from 9 December 1982 to 12 April 1983 (the date of the latest medical certificate before him) and is not entitled to be paid benefit.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned had at different times supplied two insurance numbers to the Department which showed different dates of birth. The matter was investigated and it has been established that both insurance number apply to the claimant. His correct date of birth has also been established. He has accordingly been awarded a contributory old age pension with effect from 26 September 1980.
He has therefore been requested to return his existing non-contributory old age pension book. When this is received his contributory old age pension book will then be issued to him and arrears of contributory pension less the amount of non-contributory pension already paid, will be issued by means of a payable order.