Old-age pension claim and means assessment
The claim was delayed while officials sought information about bank accounts, creamery returns and a possible farm transfer; the officer was not recommending a pension because of the claimant’s means.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of an old age non-contributory pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Comment on this
The claim in this case, which was received in my Department just before Christmas, was first investigated by the social welfare officer on 15 January. He had to send written inquiries to elicit details of the claimant's bank accounts and creamery returns. He also had to make inquiries from the claimant's solicitors regarding the possible transfer of the farm.
The necessary information to enable the claim to be referred to the local pension committee has only recently come to hand. The social welfare officer is not, however, recommending payment of pension, as the claimant's means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding, exceed the statutory limit laid down. If the pension committee's decision is unfavourable, the claimant will, of course, have a right of appeal against it.
There has been no undue delay in dealing with this case.
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