The person concerned submitted a late claim for widow's contributory pension on 15 September 1994. She was awarded a pension from 17 June 1994, three months prior to the date of claim. Her entitlement was reviewed in the light of further information received and her claim was backdated a further three months to 18 March 1994. This represents the maximum arrears payable under the relevant legislation applicable in her case.
As a result of a decision made by this Government, at my suggestion, 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 74 weeks arrears of pension amounting to £4,367.80. The only circumstances in which additional arrears could be paid would be in the event of proven incapacity on the part of the applicant to apply for pension on time, force majeure, departmental error, or to alleviate current financial hardship. Based on the information available in this case, none of these exceptional circumstances apply. In the circumstances, the person concerned has received all arrears due to her under the arrangements applicable to her claim.