asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
701.
The person concerned has been awarded a non-contributory widow's pension, at the maximum rate appropriate to a widow under 66 years with no qualified children, with effect from 1 January 1982.
A pension book containing orders from 2 April 1982 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. The arrears of pension due from 1 January to 1 April 1982 have been paid direct by payable order to the widow.
No claim for non-contributory old age pension has been received from the widow, who will not reach pension age of 66 years until October 1989.
The widow in this case had originally had a charge registered in her favour, on land transferred by her to her son, which rendered her ineligible on means grounds for widow's non-contributory pension. The lands were, however, by formal discharge dated 31 December 1981 by the widow, relieved of this burden and she became entitled to a pension from my Department after that date.
702.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the renewed delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 23 March 1982. Before a decision could be given on his entitlement to injury benefit it was necessary to make inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity. On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was due to an accident at work and the claim was allowed. Payment of injury benefit for the period from 23 March 1982 to 3 April 1982 after which date he was certified fit to resume work was made on 24 May 1982.
703.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 11 March 1982 and was paid from 14 March 1982, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 18 May 1982, date of the latest medical evidence received, has been issued. The amount of supplementary welfare allowance obtained by him during the period of his claim was withheld from the benefit due and refunded to the South Eastern Health Board.
The initial medical certificate, dated 11 March 1982, was not obtained from his certifier until 22 March 1982 and was received in my Department on 25 March 1982. Further medical certificates, dated 19 and 27 March 1982, were not obtained by him until 1 April 1982 and were only received in 5 April 1982, on which date the initial payment of benefit issued. All payments of benefit issued promptly on receipt of the medical evidence of incapacity.
704.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The local pension committee awarded an non-contributory old age pension to the person concerned with effect from 6 November 1981 but payment of the pension was not put into effect because her husband was entitled to an increase of his contributory penson in respect of her at a more favourable rate. Simultaneous payment of both amounts cannot be made.
Following the increases awarded under the recent budget the non-contributory old age pension rate is now the higher payment and a pension order book was issued to the person concerned on 26 May 1982 on receipt of her husband's pension book, which has been recalled for adjustment to the personal rate.
705.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is entitled to a non-contributory old age pension at an increased rate.
The person concerned is not entitled to an increase in his basic rate of old age pension as his means do not warrant it. Inquiries have revealed, however, that he is entitled to a living alone allowance and arrangements have been made to put this into payment.
707.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant a single woman's over 58 allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned applied for single woman's allowance in March 1981 but her application was refused on the grounds that her means, derived from the value of board and lodgings and capital, exceeded the statutory limits. She appealed against the decision but an appeals officer, whose decision is final, upheld the disallowance of her claim in June 1981. If the person concerned considers that her circumstances have changed since the date of the appeals officer's decision, it is open to her to re-apply for single woman's allowance.