Michael Ring
Question:268 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been refunded the full back payment of contributory old age pension. [19873/99]
Written Answers. - Pension Entitlements.
The person concerned submitted a late claim for old age contributory pension in November 1985 when she was 70 years
old. She was awarded pension with effect from Friday 9 August 1985, three months prior to the date of receipt of her claim. Her entitlement was reviewed in the light of further information received from her and payment was subsequently backdated by a further three months to Friday 17 May 1985, giving her the maximum arrears payable under the legislation applicable in her case.
Arrangements were made this year to pay further arrears, on a proportionate basis in the case of late claims made before 1 January 1997. Under these arrangements, the person concerned received a further 35 weeks arrears of pension. The only circumstances in which additional arrears could be paid would be in the event offorce majeure, proven incapacity on the part of the applicant to apply for pension on time, departmental error, or to alleviate current financial hardship. I understand that the person concerned was advised of these exceptional circumstances and that she informed my Department that none of them apply. In the circumstances, she has received all arrears due to her under the arrangements applicable to her claim.