asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not in receipt of the maximum rate of disability benefit of £41.00 per week in view of the fact that she worked continuously for a period of 20 years up to November 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
63.
The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit at the weekly rate of £38.00. This is the appropriate rate for a person with 36 contributions in the 1985-86 contribution year which governs her claim.
In order to have qualified for payment at the full rate, she would have required 12 more contributions paid or credited in that year. If she feels that she may have had any additional contributions in that year, she should forward evidence to this effect and the position will be reviewed.
64.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of times the amounts of old age non-contributory pensions payable to recipients are reviewed due to the fluctuation in the dollar exchange rate in relation to applicants who are also in receipt of small USA social security pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In assessing means for pension purposes account is taken of the amount of cash income a person may reasonably expect to receive during the year succeeding the date of calculation.
The old age non-contributory pension scheme does not allow for weekly or frequent adjustments to means and entitlements. Cases where a claimant's income includes income from foreign pensions such as USA social security pensions, are normally reviewed on an annual basis and fluctuations of exchange rates are taken into account. An average may be taken over the quarter or over the whole year prior to the date of recalculation, or the latest current rate may be used, whichever is the most favourable to the pensioner. However, it is open to any pensioner if his means have changed to apply for a review of his entitlement at any time.