asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of old age pension due since March 1979 will be paid to an applicant (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
333.
The person concerned, who attained pension age on 7 March 1979, claimed a contributory old age pension on 7 August 1979. He was awarded pension with effect from 9 March 1979 and a pension order book payable from 2 November 1979 was issued to him.
As he had been in receipt of disability benefit and supplementary welfare allowance while he was awaiting payment of his old age contributory pension, it was necessary to make inquiries regarding the amounts received by way of these interim payments in order to calculate the arrears of pension due.
A payable order in respect of the arrears of pension due issued on 3 March 1980.
334.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of widow's pension, at a living alone rate, due since 30 November 1979, will be paid to an applicant (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned was in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension from June 1977. Her late husband was in receipt of a retirement pension. Following his death on 11 October 1979 his pension continued in payment to her for six weeks after his death i.e. to 28 November 1979.
With effect from 30 November 1979, she was awarded a widow's contributory pension at the maximum rate of £18 per week together with a living alone allowance of £1.30 per week but payment could not be authorised until she had surrendered her old age pension book.
In the meantime she continued to receive payment of old age pension after her husband's death. She has now submitted her old age pension book to my Department and the widow's pension book and living alone allowance book have been issued to the designated post office for collection by her. The arrears, representing the difference between the widow's pension plus living alone allowance and the old age pension since November last, have been issued direct to her.
335.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons an applicant (details supplied) in County Kerry does not qualify for a non-contributory old age pension.
A non-contributory old age pension has not been granted to the person concerned as the social welfare officer has appealed against the decision of the local pension committee, awarding pension at the maximum rate, on the ground that the claimant's means exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension. A deed of transfer of the claimant's farm has been executed and the appeals officer awaits confirmation that the deed has been stamped before he gives his decision.