asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give detailed replies to claimants of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance regarding the reason the benefits have been disallowed; if when such claims are disallowed following interview, the claimants can be advised as to the information which caused the disallowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
43.
It is the practice to arrange that persons who have their social welfare payments disallowed are fully informed of the basis of the disallowance in their case. Questions relating to the entitlement to unemployment benefit and assistance are decided by statutorily appointed deciding officers and appeals officers. Where, following a review of a claim from an investigation by an investigating officer or an interview with the claimant, a deciding officer disallows the payment, the person concerned is informed of the reason for the disallowance in writing and the relevant statutory provision under which the disallowance was made is quoted.
The decision quoted on the disallowance notice does not require any further clarification in the vast majority of cases.
Where, however, the person may not be clear as to the basis for the decision, it is open to him to inquire at this local office where the matter will be explained further. All claimants whose payments are disallowed are informed of their right of appeal.
44.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth has had her disability benefit reduced and discontinued, in view of the fact that she has been in receipt of this benefit since 1980.
The person concerned who had been in receipt of disability benefit since April 1982, had her payment disallowed from 6 June 1986 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and was examined on 19 January 1987 by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
The decision to disallow payment of disability benefit was subsequently upheld by an appeals officer who decided on 15 May 1987 that she was capable of work during the period from 6 June 1986 to 21 April 1987, the date of the latest medical certificate before him. The decision of the appeals officer is final and can only be altered in the light of new facts or fresh evidence. The person concerned continued to claim disability benefit after 21 April 1987, with the same incapacity. Her claim from that date has been disallowed by a deciding officer. She was notified of the disallowance and of her right to appeal.