Michael Ring
Question:784 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will re-assess the decision regarding the non-contributory old age pension for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21313/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned was awarded an old age (non-contributory) pension at the maximum rate from February 1999 on the basis that he had no means. Following notification that he had been awarded a pension from another country from February 1999, which had not been disclosed, his means were re-assessed at £78.44 a week and it was accordingly decided that he was not entitled to old age pension from 16 February 2001 as his means exceeded the statutory limit at that time. Arising from the improvements provided for in budget 2001 it was decided that he was entitled to a reduced rate of pension of £21.50 per week from 6 April 2001. In addition, he has been awarded a living alone allowance of £6 per week and a fuel allowance of £5 per week from the same date. This is his correct entitlement having regard to his means as assessed. These decisions were made by a deciding officer against whose decisions the person concerned has a statutory right of appeal to an appeals officer. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Arrangements have been made by the Department to issue a pension payable order book for collection by the person concerned at his local post office, and to issue a cheque to him for arrears of payment due.
Michael Ring
Question:785 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo does not receive a payment cheque each week. [21330/01]
The person concerned made a claim for disability benefit from 8 May 2001 and is in receipt of payment at the maximum weekly rate of £85.50. Disability benefit payments issue on receipt of medical certificates of incapacity. An examination of the claim indicates that payment issued without delay each time a medical certificate was received. The person concerned was paid to 24 September 2001 the date of latest medical certificate received.
Gay Mitchell
Question:786 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is entitled to a fuel allowance; if he plans to introduce increased income limits in proportion to the age of the claimant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21357/01]
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are on long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A payment of £5 per week is paid to eligible households and £8 per week is paid in smokeless zones.
The conditions of the scheme are that the applicant must satisfy a means test, and must live alone or only with qualified dependants, a carer, a person in receipt of a short-term unemployment assistance payment or a person who qualifies for a fuel allowance in their own right. People who qualify for means tested pensions or allowances such as old age (non-contributory) pension are accepted as satisfying the means-test. However, if the household includes a person who is in receipt of disability benefit, unemployment benefit or occupational injury benefit then that household will not qualify for a fuel allowance. The benefit recipient could qualify for a £3 smokeless fuel allowance if they are residing in one of the specified areas and are on benefit for more than three months.
In the case of contributory pensioners such as old age contributory, retirement and invalidity pensioners who receive a qualified adult allowance, any income that their spouse has is assessable as means for the purpose of entitlement to a fuel allowance. With effect from 1 October 2001 a person may now have a combined household income of up to £40 per week or savings-investments of up to £30,000 over and above their pension and still qualify for fuel allowance. The individual in question is currently in receipt of a widower's contributory pension from my Department but there is no record of a claim for a fuel allowance from him. An application form has issued to him and if he feels that he may qualify for payment of a fuel allowance, the completed form should be returned to my Department immediately so that a decision on his entitlement can be made.
Any further changes in eligibility for fuel allowances would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of alternative proposals for delivering improvements in social welfare supports to pensioners and others.
There is a facility available through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs. An application for a heating supplement may be made by contacting the community welfare officer at the local health centre. Where a person would not normally qualify for a heating supplement there is provision under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to pay an exceptional needs payment. Exceptional needs payments are payable at the discretion of the health board taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.