The person concerned had been in receipt of unemployment assistance since June 1998. To establish that he satisfied the statutory conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work, he was interviewed by an inspector of the Department in March 2000.
The deciding officer, having considered the Inspector's report, was of the opinion that the person concerned was not genuinely seeking work and that he had failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit in his case. His claim was disallowed accordingly.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office on 9 June 2000. Following an oral hearing on 13 September, 2000, the appeals officer, while accepting that the person concerned was genuinely seeking work, was not satisfied that he had shown that his means did not exceed the statutory limit and disallowed the appeal. He has been notified of the decision.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance at the rate of £149.40 per week.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.