asked the Minister for Health the reason why the Southern Health Board are refusing to cash cheques for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of his disabled persons maintenance allowance even though he has the appropriate pension book.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
470.
The Southern Health Board discontinued payment of disabled persons maintenance allowance in this case with effect from 7 January 1985 on means grounds as a result of compensation received by the person in question in respect of a road traffic accident.
471.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was not approved for a higher rate of pension for which he appealed.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £19.60 which includes a living alone allowance of £3 from 11 May 1984 increased to £22.50 which includes a living alone allowance of £3.20, from 6 July 1984. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of capital and the weekly profit from a holding, the transfer of which has not been accepted for old age pension purposes.
472.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension at the full rate will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that he has a living alone allowance and no other visible means of support.
Due to a misunderstanding, the pensioner's current pension book was recalled to the Department in error. When this error came to light on 6 February 1985 the pension book was immediately returned direct to the pensioner who is currently in receipt of pension at the maximum weekly rate of £44.50 which includes a living alone allowance of £3.20.
473.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded family income supplement payments; and, if so, when payment will be made.
The person concerned was awarded a family income supplement at the weekly rate of £3 from 6 September 1984. The appropriate order book was issued to the designated post office on 29 January 1985 and it has been confirmed by the post office that the beneficiary is receiving payment.
474.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be reconsidered for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of the fact that he has been claiming unemployment assistance for two years, has received no payment and has no income of his own.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £35.10 weekly with effect from 24 August 1982 and £36.16 weekly with effect from 28 September 1983. His means were derived from the value of board and lodging on his brother's holding and from the value of capital. The means assessed against him exceeded the rate of unemployment assistance appropriate to him and his unemployment assistance claim was accordingly disallowed. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but an appeals officer on 16 August 1984 also assessed him with means at £35.10 and £36.16 respectively and disallowed his unemployment assistance claim. If however he considers that his circumstances have changed since the date on which the appeals officer assessed his means it is open to him to apply for a further investigation of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.