asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the full rate of old age pension has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
81.
An appeals officer decided on 19 September 1986 that the person concerned was entitled to old age pension at the reduced weekly rate of £33.40 from 4 April 1986 (including £3.40 living alone allowance), increased to £35.30 from 18 July 1986. The applicant was assessed with means consisting of the estimated weekly income from letting a holding. The transfer of the holding was not accepted for old age pension purposes as the transferee works and resides in England.
Following further information from the applicant the appeals officer has decided to review his decision and intends to hold an oral hearing. The applicant will be notified of the date and venue as soon as possible.
82.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive the full rate of unemployment assistance.
Under the equal treatment provisions introduced last November an unemployment assistance claimant whose spouse is working and earning over £50 a week is not entitled to an allowance in respect of the spouse and payment in respect of child dependants is at half the appropriate maximum rate. In addition half the total means of the claimant is assessed against him in such cases.
Up to 26 April 1987 the person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £60.70 a week, comprised of a personal rate of £35.50, an adult increase of £25.80 and child dependant increases of £18.60, less means of £19.20 derived from self-employment.
His entitlement was reviewed in accordance with the equal treatment provisions from 27 April 1987 when his wife recommenced employment with earnings over £50.00 a week. From that date his entitlement is £35.20, comprised of a personal rate of £35.50 and child dependant increases of £9.30, less means of £9.60.
His case has recently been referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of means. This investigation will be completed as soon as possible and the case will then be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the assessment.
83.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive unemployment assistance.
Following a review of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £53.85 weekly, effective from 9 April 1986, derived from his share in the profit from the family holding.
On 28 October 1986 he applied for a further review of his means and, following reinvestigation, he was again assessed with means of £53.85.
If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
In the meantime, weekly payments of £26.05, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £79.90 less means of £53.85, will continue to be made as they become due.
84.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive unemployment assistance.
Following a review of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £46.15 weekly, effective from 19 March 1986, derived from the profit from his holding.
He appealed against the amount of assessed against him and, following on oral hearing of his case on 2 September 1986, an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £46.15
He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £49.15 weekly, being the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case of £95.30 less means of £46.15.
If the person concerned considers that his circumstances have changed since the last investigation of means it is open to him to apply for a review of his case. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
85.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive the full rate of unemployment assistance.
Re-investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned by a Social Welfare officer will be completed this week and his case will then be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of this assessment.
In the meantime, weekly payments of £38.70, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £70 less means of £31.30, will continue to be made as they become due.
86.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the old age pension of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been reduced.
At a re-investigation of the old age pension entitlement of the person concerned, it was discovered that his means, consisting of half the weekly income from a holding, had increased since the previous assessment. Accordingly, it was decided by a deciding officer on 29 April 1987 that he is entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £27.05 from 1 May 1987. This rate includes increases of £6.00 in respect of his wife and £9.30 in respect of one qualified child.
Details of the assessment of means have been furnished to the person concerned.
87.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive unemployment benefit; and whether he will receive arrears.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the conditions that a person must be available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned left his employment voluntarily on 5 February 1987. He claimed unemployment benefit on 10 February 1987 and inquiries had to be made to ascertain whether he satisfied the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work. On completion of these inquiries a deciding officer disallowed his claim on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work by virtue of not having made efforts to obtain employment.
He has appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made for an oral hearing of his case by an appeals officer at the earliest available opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.