asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of a maternity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
303.
On 2 February 1981 the person concerned who was in receipt of disability benefit at that time submitted a claim to maternity allowance. As her doctor had not indicated the date of expected confinement the application form was returned to her for insertion of the date. On the return of the form, duly completed, all maternity allowance due to 27 February 1981 less disability benefit paid during the maternity allowance period, issued. A maternity grant was also paid.
When details of her earnings in the relevant tax year are available pay-related benefit, if due, will issue.
322.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have the contributory old age pension at the full rate paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is not entitled to an old age contributory pension at the maximum rate as he had an average of only 20 contributions to his credit. He would require an average of not less than 48 contributions to qualify for pension at the maximum rate. He is however entitled to the living alone allowance at the full rate.
The pension order books at the appropriate rates have been issued to him.
336.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit form 29 December 1980 to 12 January 1981 and all benefit due issued on 21 January 1981.
It subsequently came to light that her illness had continued up to 17 January 1981 and a cheque in payment of the balance due issued on 12 March 1981. The amount of pay-related benefit due on the claim was included in this cheque.
337.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit in respect of the period 22 January 1981 to 2 February 1981, after which date she was certified fit to resume work.
Inquiries were necessary to establish her insurance record for the 1979-80 year. On completion of these inquiries all benefit due issued on 23 March 1981.
338.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned has been claiming disability benefit since 16 March 1979 and was paid to 1 December 1979. She was not entitled to payment after that date as she did not satisfy the contribution conditions to qualify for benefit from 3 December 1979 to 3 January 1981. Following inquiries however it was established that she had sufficient contributions in the 1979-80 contribution year and was qualified for payment from 5 January 1981, when a new benefit year commenced. All benefit due issued on 11 March 1981.
Arrangements have been made to issue future payments on the same day each week and to require her to submit medical certificates at monthly intervals only.
339.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 January 1981 and was paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 29 January, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due, less the amount reimbursed to the health board of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has been paid to 21 March 1981, date of the latest medical evidence received.
There was some delay in payment after 10 February as it was necessary to ascertain the amount of supplementary welfare allowance due for refund to the health board. When the amount advanced was established the balance of benefit due was paid.
He is also contributing to the delay by continuing to quote his insurance number, instead of his RSI number, on his medical certificates.
340.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned had been in receipt of disability benefit from 27 June 1980, payment being made on the same day each week on the basis of monthly certificates.
Due to an administrative error, which is regretted, payment did not issue as normal for week-ending 21 February 1981. The error has since been rectified and all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been paid to 28 March 1981.
341.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 February 1981 and has been paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due from that date to 17 March 1981.
As he was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance during the period of his claim it was necessary to ascertain details of payments made by the health board concerned before payment of benefit could issue. Payment of all benefit due to 10n March 1981, less the amount refunded to the health board to offset supplementary welfare allowance paid, was issued on 19 March 1981.
342.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of occupational injury benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
On 6 November 1980 the person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an accident at work on 3 October 1980. The inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity were completed and payment was authorised on 5 January 1981.
As from 5 January 1981 the number quoted by her was taken as her insurance number whereas it was in fact her RSI number without the identifying letter. The matter has now been clarified and all benefit due to 20 March 1981 has been issued.
343.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 November 1980 and was paid from 27 November, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. Payment issued on receipt of medical evidence and all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been paid to 19 March 1981, date of the latest medical evidence received.
The delay in payment in this case was due mainly to the fact that the letter "I" after his RSI number has on occasions been taken as the digit "1".