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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 19 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 555-572

Social Welfare Appeals Data

Ceisteanna (555, 558)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

555. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the longest and shortest waiting times recorded in dealing with appeals in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26902/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

558. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she can take to ensure the time taken to deal with appeals is kept to a minimum, having particular regard to the hardship caused to those awaiting decisions over long periods which in some cases result in homelessness and desperation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26905/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 555 and 558 together.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded and just 1% are appealed. Nevertheless, the Department is concerned that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.

The average processing times for all appeals determined by Appeals Officers from 2013 to 2017 and to the end of May 2018 broken down by all social welfare scheme types are set out in the tables.

The Deputy will be aware that these times are averages only. Some straightforward appeals may take much less time than the average to be determined, while others can take considerably longer depending, for example, on the type and complexity of the case and whether an oral hearing is required.

In cases where new evidence is provided with an appeal the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person without the need for the case to be referred to an Appeals Officer.

The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with appeal officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the higher courts and decisions have to be formally written up to quasi-judicial standards.

Other factors that influence appeals processing times include the quality of the initial decision – in this respect the Department has changed the decisions process in respect of medical schemes, in order to provide more information to the claimant. I expect that this will help to reduce the number of appeals over time.

Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, appeal processing times improved between 2011 and 2017 from 52.5 weeks for an oral hearing in 2011 to 26.4 weeks in 2017 and from 25.1 weeks for a summary decision in 2011 to 19.8 weeks in 2017. The most recent figures to the end of May 2018 are 30 weeks for an oral hearing and 24.6 weeks for a summary decision.

A number of new Appeals Officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past year to replace staff leaving on retirement. Given the complexity of the appeals process it takes some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise and this has led to somewhat longer processing times during this period. The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times will continue to be a priority for her office.

Finally, it should be noted that an appellant can claim supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of their appeal and that any favourable decisions are backdated to the original date of the claim.

2013 - Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2013 – 31/12/2013

-

Average processing times (weeks)

Summary Decisions

Average processing

times (weeks)

Oral Hearings

Adoptive Benefit

34.2

-

Blind Pension

24.6

16.1

Carers Allowance

27.9

33.5

Carers Benefit

22.5

27.4

Child Benefit

28.8

37.7

Disability Allowance

29.0

36.2

Illness Benefit

37.4

43.3

Domiciliary Care

27.6

34.4

Deserted Wives Benefit

31.6

26.1

Deserted Wives Allowance

12.2

-

Farm Assist

23.0

28.2

Bereavement Grant

26.7

12.4

Family Income Supplement

30.7

41.0

Homemaker

19.0

-

Invalidity Pension

35.0

42.5

Liable Relatives

30.1

42.9

One Parent Family Payment

29.4

38.3

Maternity Benefit

28.4

50.0

Partial Capacity Benefit

39.2

38.1

State Pension (Contributory)

26.4

44.5

State Pension (Non-Cont)

26.8

41.9

State Pension (Transition)

23.7

43.2

Occupational Injury Benefit

36.1

54.1

Disablement Pension

30.7

36.9

Incapacity Supplement

25.8

60.8

Guardian's Payment (Con)

21.9

44.9

Guardian's Payment (Non-con)

45.5

27.5

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

21.2

29.7

Jobseeker's Allowance

20.5

26.7

Jobseeker's Benefit

21.1

28.9

Jobseeker's Fraud Control

17.6

101.8

Respite Care Grant

28.6

33.1

Insurability of Employment

35.8

78.4

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

17.1

24.1

Treatment Benefits

27.7

-

Survivor's Pension (Con)

26.4

39.2

Survivor's Pension (Non-Con)

28.0

38.5

Widowed Parent Grant

26.3

-

All Appeals

25.8

33.9

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 31/12/14

-

Average processing times (weeks)

Summary Decisions

Average processing

times (weeks)

Oral Hearings

Adoptive Benefit

17.1

-

Blind Pension

20.5

24.9

Carers Allowance

30.1

34.4

Carers Benefit

22.9

23.1

Child Benefit

23.8

32.9

Disability Allowance

20.8

26.7

Illness Benefit

29.5

34.8

Domiciliary Care Allowance

22.6

29.1

Deserted Wives Benefit

-

64.7

Deserted Wives Allowance

-

41.8

Farm Assist

23.2

28.3

Bereavement Grant

25.6

31.9

Family Income Supplement

26.0

32.6

Invalidity Pension

25.9

31.2

Liable Relatives

21.5

33.2

One Parent Family Payment

24.4

33.5

Maternity Benefit

22.4

44.7

Partial Capacity Benefit

48.5

48.5

State Pension (Contributory)

25.2

41.9

State Pension (Non-Cont)

20.3

29.4

State Pension (Transition)

27.0

35.1

Occupational Injury Benefit

33.6

33.7

Disablement Pension

23.6

30.6

Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical)

-

53.9

Incapacity Supplement

21.5

59.6

Guardian's Payment (Con)

25.9

24.9

Guardian's Payment (Non-con)

19.7

30.3

Pre Retirement Allowance

17.3

-

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

18.1

27.5

Jobseeker's Allowance

16.2

21.1

JA/JB Fraud Control

12.1

-

Jobseeker's Benefit

16.7

21.1

Treatment Benefit

20.8

-

Respite Care Grant

24.9

27.1

Insurability of Employment

45.0

62.3

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

14.4

22.1

Survivor's Pension (Con)

20.2

32.5

Survivor's Pension (Non-Con)

24.7

24.6

Widowed Parent Grant

22.2

-

All Appeals

21.1

28.6

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/12/2015

-

Average processing times (weeks)

Summary Decisions

Average processing

times (weeks)

Oral Hearings

Blind Person’s Pension

21.1

30.7

Carers Allowance

20.6

25.9

Carers Benefit

19.7

21.8

Child Benefit

24.8

34.7

Disability Allowance

15.8

21.4

Illness Benefit

26.3

33.1

Partial Capacity Benefit

25.7

43.4

Domiciliary Care Allowance

21.7

28.7

Deserted Wives Benefit

19.7

26.2

Deserted Wives Allowance

-

16.2

Farm Assist

21.0

28.6

Bereavement Grant

65.7

26.0

Death Benefit (Pension)

-

22.6

Family Income Supplement

19.4

27.7

Invalidity Pension

26.2

28.4

Liable Relatives

22.8

31.2

Maternity Benefit

22.6

17.5

One Parent Family Payment

22.9

33.9

State Pension (Contributory)

26.0

46.0

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

20.4

30.8

State Pension (Transition)

80.1

53.4

Occupational Injury Benefit

20.3

35.0

Disablement Pension

23.7

35.3

Incapacity Supplement

41.2

51.5

Guardian's Payment (Con)

18.2

27.5

Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)

18.7

31.0

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

15.8

26.0

Jobseeker's Allowance

15.2

21.9

JA/JB Fraud Control

-

46.1

BTW Family Dividend

14.1

-

Jobseeker's Transitional

12.9

21.3

Recoverable Benefits & Assistance

21.0

30.3

Jobseeker's Benefit

14.3

21.2

Pre-Retirement Allowance

15.0

-

Treatment Benefit

17.9

-

Carer’s Support Grant *

21.2

23.6

Insurability of Employment

47.6

69.4

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

13.1

23.5

Survivor's Pension (Con)

24.1

46.6

Survivor's Pension (Non-con)

23.7

38.3

Widows Parent Grant

18.4

-

All Appeals

18.1

25.5

* Previously called Respite Care Grant

Appeal processing times by scheme 01/01/2016 – 31/12/2016

-

Average processing times (weeks)

Summary Decisions

Average processing

times (weeks)

Oral Hearings

Blind Person’s Pension

18.2

33.8

Carers Allowance

17.6

21.6

Carers Benefit

20.7

22.4

Child Benefit

22.1

38.2

Disability Allowance

14.6

20.1

Illness Benefit

27.2

34.3

Partial Capacity Benefit

27.3

33.6

Domiciliary Care Allowance

24.3

30.6

Deserted Wives Benefit

13.0

32.8

Farm Assist

21.9

26.0

Bereavement Grant

23.1

-

Death Benefit (Pension)

19.7

-

Liable Relatives

14.0

16.9

Family Income Supplement

20.4

25.5

Invalidity Pension

21.3

28.2

Maternity Benefit

18.9

21.7

One Parent Family Payment

21.7

31.9

State Pension (Contributory)

25.6

45.9

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

22.7

32.9

State Pension (Transition)

67.7

61.3

Occupational Injury Benefit

25.0

31.9

Disablement Pension

25.8

26.8

Incapacity Supplement

27.7

50.9

Guardian's Payment (Con)

15.8

24.5

Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)

18.4

23.3

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

16.7

25.5

Jobseeker's Allowance

16.0

20.9

BTW Family Dividend

21.0

-

Jobseeker's Transitional

19.0

22.3

Recoverable Benefits & Assistance

32.5

31.6

Jobseeker's Benefit

16.0

27.2

Treatment Benefit

17.1

-

Carer’s Support Grant *

18.1

23.3

Insurability of Employment

36.6

85.7

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

15.0

24.1

Survivor's Pension (Con)

16.6

28.8

Survivor's Pension (Non-con)

18.4

23.4

Widows Parent Grant

23.5

63.8

All Appeals

17.6

24.1

* Previously called Respite Care Grant

Appeal Processing Times by Scheme 01 January 2017- 31 December 2017

-

Average processing times (weeks)

Summary Decisions

Average processing

times (weeks)

Oral Hearings

Adoptive Benefit

13.4

-

Blind Person’s Pension

20.1

24.4

Carers Allowance

21.7

24.0

Carers Benefit

17.8

21.3

Child Benefit

22.8

32.4

Disability Allowance

17.3

24.1

Illness Benefit

28.0

30.6

Partial Capacity Benefit

33.3

35.7

Domiciliary Care Allowance

27.2

34.4

Deserted Wife's Benefit

13.1

27.7

Farm Assist

20.7

25.8

Bereavement Grant

15.1

-

Family Income Supplement

22.9

34.6

Invalidity Pension

16.9

23.7

Liable Relatives

25.3

24.0

Maternity Benefit

18.8

19.3

Paternity Benefit

18.3

-

One Parent Family Payment

26.1

34.7

State Pension (Contributory)

32.1

45.7

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

25.9

35.3

State Pension (Transition)

60.4

-

Occupational Injury Benefit

20.0

26.4

Disablement Pension

25.0

28.3

OIB-Medical Care

-

27.3

Incapacity Supplement

47.8

37.2

Guardian's Payment (Con)

23.7

27.0

Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)

16.0

23.1

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

19.6

27.3

Jobseeker's Allowance

18.3

24.8

BTW Family Dividend

19.8

27.5

Jobseeker's Transitional

22.1

23.2

Recoverable Benefits & Assistance

27.4

-

Jobseeker's Benefit

20.6

24.2

Carer’s Support Grant *

18.5

25.6

Treatment Benefit

14.0

-

Insurability of Employment

42.8

90.4

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

16.4

25.8

Survivor's Pension (Con)

23.0

44.7

Survivor's Pension (Non-con)

23.3

24.7

Widowed Parent Grant

19.5

-

All Appeals

19.8

26.4

* Previously called Respite Care Grant

Appeal Processing Times by Scheme 01 January 2018 - 31 May 2018

-

Average processing times (weeks)

Summary Decisions

Average processing

times (weeks)

Oral Hearings

Blind Pension

15.7

-

Carers Allowance

24.2

28.0

Carers Benefit

20.5

27.2

Child Benefit

36.5

49.4

Disability Allowance

17.9

25.9

Illness Benefit

30.5

37.9

Partial Capacity Benefit

31.7

21.3

Domiciliary Care Allowance

31.2

36.2

Deserted Wife's Benefit

-

30.5

Farm Assist

41.4

39.4

Working Family Payment

29.1

31.6

Invalidity Pension

23.7

24.1

Liable Relatives

-

30.7

Maternity Benefit

26.7

38.8

Paternity Benefit

27.7

20.6

One Parent Family Payment

25.3

40.5

State Pension (Contributory)

39.2

48.2

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

30.5

38.9

Occupational Injury Benefit

38.1

60.8

Disablement Pension

35.7

29.6

Guardian's Payment (Contributory)

30.7

32.4

Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)

10.4

37.3

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

31.5

35.7

Jobseeker's Allowance (Payments)

25.4

30.4

BTW Family Dividend

32.2

-

Jobseeker's Transitional

39.5

30.5

Recoverable Benefits & Assistance

46.6

-

Pre-Retirement Allowance

64.0

29.9

Jobseeker's Benefit

24.6

26.7

Carer’s Support Grant

27.5

28.7

Incapacity Supplement

-

29.0

Insurability of Employment

48.8

81.5

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

22.2

28.3

Survivor's Pension (Contributory)

39.2

22.4

Survivor's Pension (Non-Con)

34.6

23.4

Widowed Parent Grant

35.8

-

All Appeals

24.6

30.0

Social Welfare Overpayments

Ceisteanna (556, 563)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

556. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which due process and natural justice remains paramount in the context of dealing with social welfare recipients whose cases come under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26903/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

563. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether the manner in which investigations into overpayments are carried out will be reviewed to ensure strict adherence to due process and natural justice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26910/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 563 together.

My Department is committed to ensuring that the principles of natural justice are followed in all claim decisions. This applies equally to decisions at initial claim stage and when claims are subsequently reviewed. The Department’s guidelines on Decision Making and Natural Justice are published on the website - www.welfare.ie. This message is reinforced through guidelines, bulletins and staff training.

Overpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005.

As part of the process of finalising a decision and assessing an overpayment, the deciding officer or designated person (in the case of the administration of payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance provisions), is required to engage with the person concerned and offer them the opportunity to provide additional information in support of their claim. In addition, the customer may seek a review or may appeal any decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I am satisfied that the current processes meet the needs of members of the public and the administration of the social welfare system and I do not have any plans to change them.

If there is a particular case that the Deputy is concerned about, he should bring it to my attention and I will ask my officials to examine it.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals Data

Ceisteanna (557)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

557. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she can take to provide extra personnel to deal with appeals against decisions made by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26904/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department, like all Government departments and agencies is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff.

The staffing needs for all areas within the Department, including the Social Welfare Appeals Office and all areas involved in the processing of appeals, are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded and just 1% are appealed. Nevertheless, the Department is concerned that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.

The time taken to process an appeal reflects all aspects of the appeal process including time spent in the Department preparing the appeal submission. The quasi-judicial nature of the appeals system means that there are inevitable time-lags involved. The time taken is proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which require a high level of judgement, and the need to ensure due process and natural justice. The system is designed to be flexible and fair and allows for review and submission of further information at all stages which is to the benefit of the appellant.

Appeal processing times are kept under constant scrutiny by the Chief Appeals Officer. The Deputy will be aware that significant effort and resources have been devoted in recent years to reducing the length of the time taken to finalise an appeal. As a result, appeal processing times improved between 2011 and 2017 from 52.5 weeks for an oral hearing in 2011 to 26.4 weeks in 2017 and from 25.1 weeks for a summary decision in 2011 to 19.8 weeks in 2017. The most recent figures for May 2018 are 30 weeks for an oral hearing and 24.6 weeks for a summary decision.

A number of new Appeals Officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past year to replace staff leaving on retirement. Given the complexity of the appeals process it takes some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise and this has led to somewhat longer processing times during this period. The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times will continue to be a priority for her office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 558 answered with Question No. 555.

Data Protection

Ceisteanna (559)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which information received from third parties in respect of recipients of various social welfare payments complies with GDPR; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26906/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department receives the vast majority of personal data direct from customers themselves mainly on foot of an application for one of my Department’s schemes or for other supports and services provided.

My Department has a firm legal basis for the processing of this personal data in accordance with the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005, as amended.

Circumstances where my Department receives and processes information from third party organisations is also provided for by law and underpinned by written agreements which outline how the information is shared and also what it is used for. This is fully in compliance with the GDPR. Indeed, my Department’s GDPR privacy statement outlines how the Department collects, stores and uses personal and is available on the Department’s website and in hard copy on request.

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (560)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if disability allowance or invalidity pension payments are being disallowed on the basis that a person has a serious disability such as an amputation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26907/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Medical eligibility for Disability Allowance (DA) and Invalidity Pension (INVP) is assessed on a case by case basis and is determined by its severity, and resultant effects on activities of daily living and work-related activities. Eligibility is not based solely on diagnosis or treatment but rather is assessing the person’s eligibility for the relevant scheme in accordance with the relevant statutory conditions. Entitlement to DA is based on satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. The person must be between the age 16 and 66.

The medical condition for DA is that a person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect, as a result of which they are substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications.

INVP is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the statutory social insurance contribution conditions.

A person is regarded as being permanently incapable of work if;

- For the period of 1 year immediately before the date of application the person had been continuously incapable of work and a Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the person is likely to continue to be incapable of work for at least another year,

OR

- A Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the likelihood is that the person will be incapable of work for life.

Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer regarding their entitlement to either if these payments, they can appeal that decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Exceptional Needs Payment Data

Ceisteanna (561, 565, 571)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

561. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which exceptional needs payments continue to be restricted even in cases in which the need clearly exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26908/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

565. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for exceptional needs payments pending or refused in the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26913/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which community welfare services are readily available to meet the needs of those in society who may ordinarily have had no reason to call on the social services but who may due to circumstances outside their control have to rely on exceptional needs payments in order to get by in a crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26919/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 561, 565 and 571 together.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Department may make an urgent needs payment (UNP) to a person who may not normally qualify for SWA but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or an alternative is not available at that time. The Government has provided over €36.4 million for ENPs and UNPs in 2018.

There are a number of categories specifically excluded in legislation from receiving assistance under the SWA scheme, including ENPs. These include people in full-time work and people in full-time education. These exclusions do not apply under the UNP scheme.

The ENP scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. The principle consideration in making a payment under the ENP scheme is to address a particular once-off and exceptional need.

The guidelines issued to staff administering the ENP scheme assist them in the decision making process. The guidelines do not affect the discretion available to officers in issuing an ENP to assist an individual or household in any particular hardship situation which may arise, so that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

Statistics are maintained relating to payments under the ENP and UNP schemes, however they are not maintained on the number of applications or the outcome of those applications. Details of the number of payments made under the ENP scheme for the years 2013 to 2017 and to end of May 2018 are set out in the following tabular statement. For reporting purposes this data also includes the numbers of urgent needs payments (UNP).

The Community Welfare Service has an important role within the overall social welfare system in providing a responsive and flexible approach to meeting the needs of the disadvantaged. CWS staff have extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders and advocacy groups working with vulnerable people.

Any person who considers that they have an entitlement to an exceptional needs payment should contact the Community Welfare Service at their local office.

If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a particular case or circumstances where he feels the administration of the scheme is being restricted, he should bring it to the attention of the Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Table 1 - Number of Exceptional Needs Payments, 2013 - 2018 (end of May)

Year

Number of Payments

2013

133,000

2014

107,100

2015

101,600

2016

100,100

2017

103,500

2018 ( to May)

42,500

Carer's Allowance Data

Ceisteanna (562)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

562. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of carer’s allowance applications in payment in circumstances in which the recipient is caring for more than one person; the extent to which these numbers have fluctuated over the past ten years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26909/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is shown in the tabular statement.

I note that this breakdown is not available for periods prior to July 2013.

Carers Allowance Recipients by number of Carers: July 2013 to present

Number of Carers

July 2013

July 2014

July 2015

July 2016

July 2017

May 2018

1

51,727

53,252

56,848

60,806

67,440

70,104

2

4,553

4,621

4,964

5,427

6,437

6,990

3

5

10

15

31

57

51

4

1

1

1

Grand Total

56,285

57,883

61,828

66,264

73,935

77,146

Question No. 563 answered with Question No. 556.

Social Welfare Schemes Data

Ceisteanna (564)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

564. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which backlogs have been addressed in respect of various headings and payments operated by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26912/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The numbers of claims on hand pending decision in May 2017 and May 2018 for my Department’s principal schemes are shown in the tabular statement.

Pending Figures

May-17

May-18

State Pension (Contributory)

3493

4491

Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension

244

543

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

2334

2190

Jobseekers Allowance

5896

4313

Jobseekers Benefit

2088

1599

One-Parent Family Payment

1123

766

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Basic

583

580

Maternity Benefit

5366

3026

Paternity Benefit

1953

1308

Carer's Allowance

4552

5236

Disability Allowance

5863

5826

Invalidity Pension

1620

1965

Illness Benefit

4428

3071

Occupational Injury Benefit

148

251

Child Benefit

1327

1360

Working Family Payment

3631

2981

Domiciliary Care Allowance

3263

1585

Free Travel

8

15

Household Benefits

2161

1161

Question No. 565 answered with Question No. 561.

Social Welfare Code

Ceisteanna (566)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

566. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which self-employed persons can qualify for various social welfare supports now and in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26914/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Self-employed workers, who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to the following benefits: State pension (contributory), widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), maternity benefit, adoptive benefit, paternity benefit, treatment benefit (from March 2017). Entitlement to invalidity pension was extended to the self-employed from December 2017.

This compares favourably with employees who, in general, are liable to the PRSI Class A rate of 4%. In addition their employers are liable to PRSI at the rate of 8.6% on weekly earnings up to and including €376 or at the rate of 10.85% where weekly earnings exceed €376. Accordingly the combined rate of PRSI rate paid in respect of Class A employees is 12.6% or 14.85%, depending on the level of weekly earnings. These Class A employees are entitled to the full range of social insurance benefits.

The issue of extending additional social insurance benefits to the self-employed paying Class S PRSI was considered in the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance fund (SIF) as at 31 December, 2015, which I published in October 2017. The review, required by legislation, was carried out by independent consultants, KPMG. It examines the projected income and expenditure of the SIF over the course of the 55 year period from 2016 to 2071.

The review found that the fund currently has a modest surplus of income over expenditure. In 2016 there was a surplus of €0.4 billion on expenditure of €8.8 billion and receipts of €9.2 billion. However, this will reduce over the next two years and will return to a small shortfall in 2020. The annual shortfalls are projected to increase from 2021 onwards as the ageing of the population impacts. Projections indicate that, in the absence of further action to tackle the shortfall, the excess of expenditure over income of the fund will increase significantly over the medium to long term. The shortfall in expenditure over income is projected to increase from €0.2 billion in 2020 to €3.3 billion by 2030 and to €22.2 billion by 2071. It should be noted that as self-employed workers were to be eligible to apply for invalidity pension from December 2017, the cost of this introduction has been factored into the actuarial review’s findings.

As part of the review the independent consultants were required to project the additional PRSI expenditure if invalidity pension and illness, jobseeker’s and carer’s benefits were extended to Class S self-employed workers and the PRSI contribution rates required to provide these benefits on a revenue neutral basis.

The review found that the combined cost of introducing the invalidity, illness, jobseeker’s and carer’s benefits for PRSI Class S contributions is estimated to be €118 million in 2018, rising steadily to €223 million in 2020. By 2025 the projected cost is €413 million and, over the period of the review the cost would rise to €1.3 billion in 2071.

The review indicates that, where these benefits are extended to the self-employed, the Class S rate of PRSI contribution would need to increase substantially in order to ensure that the benefits are delivered in a revenue neutral manner. It estimates that when expenditure on the additional benefits is considered over the entire projection period, PRSI rates would need to increase by 94% under a scenario of no subvention from the Exchequer. This is equivalent to an increase of the Class S contribution rate from the current 4% rate to 7.8%.

This increased contribution is attributable to the costs of extending these additional benefits to PRSI Class S contributors. It does not take account of the value to PRSI Class S contributors of access to the range of existing benefits, and in particular State pension contributory. The consultants estimated that the typical cost of State pension (contributory) on its own is of the order of 10% to 15%, depending on other factors including rate of average earnings and date of commencing paying PRSI. Adding in the other benefits referenced the total Class S rate of contribution to ensure revenue neutrality would be of the order of 20% per annum.

The findings of the Review will play an important role in informing the overall debate on policy developments in relation to the SIF in the years ahead, including the financial sustainability of the Fund given the expected demographic challenges and consideration of extending the scope of benefits for workers generally, including the self-employed.

Unemployment Levels

Ceisteanna (567)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

567. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current extent of long-term unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26915/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Government policy to reduce unemployment is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and second, through Pathways to Work to ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register, and in particular the long-term unemployed.

To date, these policies have been effective in reducing long-term unemployment. For example, the most recent data shows that the rate of long-term unemployment in Ireland has fallen from a peak of 9.5% in 2012 to 2.5% in Q4 2017. This downward trend indicates that Ireland is well on course to bring long-term unemployment below 2.5% in accordance with Pathways to Work targets for 2020, and maybe even improve on it.

Policy continues to focus on support for the long-term unemployed. For example, the Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy prioritises long-term unemployed people – most notably through the roll-out of JobPath to engage more systematically with this group; through targeted wage subsidies under JobsPlus; and through reserved places for long-term unemployed jobseekers on employment and training programmes.

The table shows the most recent end of month statistics on the number of people availing of a range of programmes targeted primarily at the long-term unemployed (over 12 months). Statistics for April 2018 are compared with those for April 2017.

Activation Programmes (April 2017 and April 2018)

Activation Schemes

Apr-17

Apr-18

Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme – self-employed strand.

10,658

8,525

Short-term Enterprise Allowance1

407

345

Total - Back to Work Schemes

11,065

8,870

Part-time Job Incentive

466

409

TÚS - Community Work Placement Initiative

7,165

6,300

JobBridge - National Internship Scheme2

746

0

Gateway (2013)

345

8

Other Activation Programmes

8,722

6,717

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

5,000

5,000

Back to Education Allowance3

13,362

10,552

Total - Back to Education Courses:

18,362

15,552

Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)

22,161

21,766

FÁS (SOLAS) full time training for the unemployed4

6,489

5,995

TOTAL

66,799

58,900

This scheme was introduced from 1st May 2009. It provides immediate support for someone in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit who wants to start a business.

This scheme was closed to new applications from 21 October 2016.

BTEA figures include all schemes but participants from JA & JB are not entitled to BTEA during the summer holidays. Includes Momentum participants from February 2013.

Figure as at December 2017. Data for 2018 is currently unavailable.

I am confident that the current policy approach, and continuing economic recovery, will support further reductions in long-term unemployment and add to the substantial improvements that have already been seen over the last few years.

Social Welfare Code

Ceisteanna (568)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

568. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the degree to which efforts are being made to award State pensions to those men and women whose contribution records were interrupted for family or other reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26916/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023 sets out how the Government intends to introduce and implement a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to calculating entitlement for all new state pension contributory claims from 2020 onwards.

The criteria required for a full pension under that new approach have not yet been determined, and are currently subject to a public consultation which I launched on 28th May and which will be open until 3rd September. Issues such as the number of years required for a full pension are addressed in the consultation questions, and in the accompanying documentation. The final details will not be decided upon until I have considered the submissions received in this process.

This public consultation is available on my Department’s website and I would encourage all interested stakeholders to contribute to the survey there.

Separately, under an interim Total Contributions Approach I announced in January, a person who reached pension age after 1 September 2012 (i.e. who is among those affected by the new rate-bands introduced from that date) and who has a 40 year record of paid and credited social insurance contributions, subject to a maximum of 20 years of credits, will qualify for a maximum contributory pension where they satisfy the other qualifying conditions for the scheme. Up to 20 years of HomeCaring credits, and/or 10 years of other qualifying credits, for example when unemployed or ill, may be used, subject to the total number of credits not exceeding 20 years.

Legislation has to be drafted and enacted to enable implementation of these arrangements with effect from 30th March 2018. Following this, IT solutions must be developed in line with that legislation.

Pensioners do not need to contact the Department about this. Instead, the Department will invite over 50,000 pensioners, who were assessed under the current rate bands in place since 2012, to have their pensions recalculated under this interim TCA solution to determine if they qualify for a higher rate of entitlement. The Department expects to send out these invitations from Quarter 4 of 2018 and to begin payments, including arrears for any period from 30 March 2018, from Quarter 1 of 2019.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Live Register Data

Ceisteanna (569)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

569. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she has identified specific trends arising from the study of the age profile of those on the live register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26917/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Live Register Figures by detailed age group for all months from October 2009 to May 2017 are accessible from the CSO Statbank on the CSO Website, (available at https://cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=LRM11&PLanguage=0 ).

At the end of May 2018, there were 223,502 people on the Live Register. This is less than half the number of people signing on the Live Register at the crisis peak in mid-2012. While this reduction in Live Register numbers has been especially large for younger people, people of every age have benefitted from the economic recovery, so that numbers on the Live Register are lower now than at the crisis peak for every age group.

Social Welfare Code

Ceisteanna (570)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

570. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether changes are required in the criteria governing cohabitation with a view to ensuring that hardship is not caused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26918/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The question of whether a couple is cohabiting as husband and wife or civil partners affects entitlement under the Social Welfare Acts in a number of ways:

- A person may be entitled to an increase for a qualified adult for a person who is not a husband, wife or civil partner provided the couple are cohabiting;

- A disqualification applies in various schemes where there is cohabitation, for example, under the One-parent Family Payment scheme;

- Means are calculated similarly for a cohabiting couple as for a married couple/civil partners;

- In Jobseeker's Allowance cases a limitation is applied to payment rates where the person with whom the claimant is cohabiting is also in receipt of certain Social Welfare payments.

My Department has set down the guidelines it uses in considering issues relating to cohabitation. These guidelines are updated from time to time to take into account changes to policy, legislation or best practice. These are available on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Cohabitation.aspx.

With regard to the issue of hardship, if a person does not qualify for a particular Social Welfare payment due to cohabiting, they should be advised to apply for a payment that is appropriate to their particular circumstances.

Any changes to these arrangements could involve significant costs and there no plans under consideration to change the existing criteria.

Question No. 571 answered with Question No. 561.

Social Welfare Schemes Data

Ceisteanna (572)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the applications for various social welfare payments which are most commonly refused on application and referred to appeal or oral hearing; the number of cases subsequently rejected or approved on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26920/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

The schemes with the highest number of appeals to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2017 and 2018 (to the end of May) were - disability allowance (5,077 in 2017 and 1,883 in 2018), carer’s allowance (3,200 in 2017 and 1,137 in 2018), jobseeker’s allowance - payments (1,676 in 2017 and 637 in 2018), jobseeker’s allowance - means (1,504 in 2017 and 607 in 2018), supplementary welfare allowance (1,302 in 2017 and 390 in 2018), invalidity pension (1,381 in 2017 and 576 in 2018) and domiciliary care allowance (1,199 in 2017 and 577 in 2018).

The tables set out the following in respect of 2017 and 2018 (to the end of May); (1) all appeal receipts, (2) the appeal outcomes in respect of the schemes with the highest number of appeals and (3) the outcomes of appeals determined by way of oral hearing.

Overall, 60.1% of the 18,980 appeals which were finalised in 2017 had a favourable outcome for the appellant, i.e. were either allowed in full or in part, or resolved by way of a revised decision by a Deciding Officer/Designated Person. 57.5% of the 7,562 appeals finalised to date in 2018 had a favourable outcome for the appellant.

Of the 13,556 appeals which were finalised by Appeals Officers in 2017, 5,412 (39.9%) were determined following an oral hearing. 3,444 (63.6%) of these had a favourable outcome for the appellant. Of the 5,620 appeals finalised by Appeals Officers to date in 2018, 2,100 (37.4%) were determined following an oral hearing. 1,289 (61.4%) of these had a favourable outcome for the appellant.

There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was wrong.

Where new evidence is provided with an appeal the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person as was the case in some 37% of favourable appeal outcomes in 2017 and some 35% in 2018. Where the decision is not revised in the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at the oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.

Decisions concerning entitlement to a social welfare payment or insurability of employment often require a high level of judgment and may involve complex legal questions. The Courts have found that decision makers are required to be free and unrestricted in discharging their functions.

Where an appellant requests an oral hearing, the request is generally granted unless the Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the appeal can be allowed on a summary basis, or where there is clearly nothing to be gained by granting an oral hearing, for example where the appeal question relates to contribution conditions or means and the underlying PRSI contribution figures or means are not disputed. Social Welfare legislation provides that an Appeals Officer may determine an appeal without an oral hearing where s/he is of the opinion that it can be determined fairly on the basis of the documentary evidence provided. In general, where there is a conflict in the documentary evidence presented, an Appeals Officer will convene an oral hearing in order to explore the evidence and seek to resolve any conflict.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Appeal Receipts 2017 – 2018

2017

2018

(to 31 May 2018)

Adoptive Benefit

2

-

Blind Person’s Pension

19

6

Carers Allowance

3,200

1,137

Carers Benefit

110

67

Child Benefit

473

205

Disability Allowance

5,077

1,883

Illness Benefit

443

247

Death Benefit

-

1

Partial Capacity Benefit

38

29

Domiciliary Care Allowance

1,199

577

Deserted Wives Benefit

7

4

Deserted Wives Allowance

1

-

Farm Assist

130

45

Bereavement Grant

1

1

Working Family Payment

477

141

Invalidity Pension

1,381

576

Liable Relatives

9

2

Maternity Benefit

84

21

Paternity Benefit

16

9

One Parent Family Payment

244

101

State Pension (Contributory)

408

121

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

370

149

State Pension (Transition)

3

-

Occupational Injury Benefit

51

22

Disablement Pension

347

151

Occupational Injury-Medical Care

2

2

Incapacity Supplement

7

3

Guardian's Payment (Con)

34

6

Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)

16

3

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

1,504

607

Jobseeker's Allowance

1,676

637

Pre-Retirement Allowance

2

-

BTW Family Dividend

43

19

Jobseeker's Transitional

41

30

Recoverable Benefits & Assistance

25

23

Jobseeker's Benefit

545

240

Treatment Benefit

1

-

Carer’s Support Grant

164

50

Insurability of Employment

132

40

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

1,302

390

Survivor's Pension (Con)

45

13

Survivor's Pension (Non-con)

23

8

Widows Parent Grant

6

-

All Appeals

19,658

7,566

Outcome of Disability Allowance Appeals 2017– 2018

Favourable Decisions

Appeals Finalised

Revised Deciding Officers

Decisions

Appeals Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Partly Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers

Withdrawn

2017

4,934

563

2,975

70

1,211

115

2018

(to 31/5/2018)

1,933

145

1,167

43

551

27

Outcome of Carer’s Allowance Appeals 2017– 2018

Favourable Decisions

Appeals Finalised

Revised Deciding Officers

Decisions

Appeals Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Partly Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers

Withdrawn

2017

3,416

780

1,204

161

1,199

72

2018

(to 31/5/2018)

1,124

174

440

56

414

40

Outcome of Jobseeker’s Allowance (Payments) Appeals 2017– 2018

Favourable Decisions

Appeals Finalised

Revised Deciding Officers

Decisions

Appeals Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Partly Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers

Withdrawn

2017

1,573

309

349

66

665

184

2018

(to 31/5/2018)

698

116

133

43

343

63

Outcome of Jobseeker’s Allowance (Means) Appeals 2017– 2018

Favourable Decisions

Appeals Finalised

Revised Deciding Officers

Decisions

Appeals Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Partly Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers

Withdrawn

2017

1,453

264

187

82

708

212

2018

(to 31/5/2018)

577

76

61

27

320

93

Outcome of Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals 2017– 2018

Favourable Decisions

Appeals Finalised

Revised Deciding Officers

Decisions

Appeals Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Partly Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers

Withdrawn

2017

1,349

229

304

34

602

180

2018

(to 31/5/2018)

511

96

123

13

221

58

Outcome of Invalidity Pension Appeals 2017– 2018

Favourable Decisions

Appeals Finalised

Revised Deciding Officers

Decisions

Appeals Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Partly Allowed by Appeals Officers

Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers

Withdrawn

2017

1,348

691

365

7

262

23

2018

(to 31/5/2018)

460

166

159

8

114

13

Outcome of Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals 2017– 2018

Favourable Decisions

Appeals

Finalised

Revised Deciding Officers

Decisions

Appeals Allowed

Appeals Partly Allowed

Appeals Disallowed

Withdrawn

2017

801

343

297

10

135

16

2018

(to 31/5/2018)

616

289

194

5

117

11

Number and Outcome of Appeals Determined following Oral Hearings 2017

Allowed

Partially allowed

Disallowed

No. of Oral Hearings

Blind Person’s Pension

1

1

-

2

Carers Allowance

831

100

555

1,486

Carers Benefit

11

2

10

23

Child Benefit

35

7

30

72

Disability Allowance

1,077

35

433

1,545

Illness Benefit

78

6

81

165

Partial Capacity Benefit

5

1

5

11

Domiciliary Care Allowance

167

9

63

239

Deserted Wives Benefit

1

1

1

3

Farm Assist

17

12

26

55

Liable Relatives

-

2

2

4

Family Income Supplement*

25

6

37

68

Invalidity Pension

187

4

78

269

Maternity Benefit

3

-

4

7

One Parent Family Payment

36

13

23

72

State Pension (Contributory)

14

9

45

68

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

40

23

35

98

State Pension (Transition)

-

-

1

1

Occupational Injury Benefit

-

-

7

7

Disablement Pension

58

14

44

116

Occupational Injury-Medical Care

-

-

1

1

Incapacity Supplement

3

1

1

5

Guardian's Payment (Con)

9

-

4

13

Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)

3

-

2

5

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

111

50

144

305

Jobseeker's Allowance

171

33

165

369

Jobseeker's Benefit

25

9

35

69

Jobseeker's Transitional

4

3

-

7

BTW Family Dividend

1

-

1

2

Carer’s Support Grant

18

1

18

37

Insurability of Employment

22

3

10

35

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

122

15

96

233

Survivor's Pension (Con)

3

-

5

8

Survivor's Pension (Non-con)

3

3

6

12

All Appeals

3,081

363

1,968

5,412

*Now called Working Family Payment

Number and Outcome of Appeals Determined following Oral Hearings 2018 - (to 31/5/2018)

Allowed

Partially allowed

Disallowed

No. of Oral Hearings

Carers Allowance

283

36

157

476

Carers Benefit

8

2

4

14

Child Benefit

7

1

4

12

Disability Allowance

413

20

184

617

Illness Benefit

23

1

29

53

Partial Capacity Benefit

2

-

2

4

Domiciliary Care Allowance

91

1

63

155

Deserted Wives Benefit

1

-

-

1

Farm Assist

4

2

8

14

Liable Relatives

-

-

1

1

Working Family Payment

8

6

14

28

Invalidity Pension

92

5

39

136

Maternity Benefit

1

-

1

2

Paternity Benefit

-

-

1

1

One Parent Family Payment

4

1

13

18

State Pension (Contributory)

8

3

10

21

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

17

6

18

41

Occupational Injury Benefit

-

-

3

3

Disablement Pension

31

4

17

52

Incapacity Supplement

3

-

-

3

Guardian's Payment (Con)

-

-

3

3

Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)

-

-

1

1

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

22

13

52

87

Jobseeker's Allowance

54

23

94

171

Jobseeker's Benefit

15

6

18

39

Jobseeker's Transitional

2

-

1

3

Pre-Retirement Allowance

1

-

-

1

Carer’s Support Grant

6

5

8

19

Insurability of Employment

7

2

14

23

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

42

4

51

97

Survivor's Pension (Contributory)

2

-

-

2

Survivor's Pension (Non-Contributory)

-

1

1

2

All Appeals

1,147

142

811

2,100

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