An application for disability allowance was received from the person concerned on the 2 December 2011. This application was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who found that the person was not medically eligible for disability allowance. A letter issued on 2 May 2012 advising of this.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal was lodged by the person concerned on 19 June 2012. As part of the person's appeals process, the department referred all the medical evidence received to a second medical assessor for review. When the deciding officer receives the opinion of the medical assessor, which is expected shortly, a decision will be made. If, following this review, the decision to refuse the payment stands, the appeal and all relevant papers will be referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office who will decide whether the case should be determined on a summary basis or by oral hearing.