Old age pension refusal explanation
A Galway applicant’s pension claim was refused because his means exceeded the statutory limit. Harte urged the Department to explain means assessments in enough detail for applicants to understand and appeal; Hussey said he would raise the matter with the Department.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in dealing with the claim of a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has applied for an old age pension.
Comment on this
The local pension committee decided in October last that the person concerned was not entitled to a pension as his means exceeded the statutory limit.
There was no delay in dealing with this case.
Comment on this
When a reply is sent from the Department explaining that a person's means exceed the statutory limit, will the Minister take steps to ensure that a detailed explanation is given about what the Department mean? The person concerned should be given enough information to understand why he has been refused. This happens north of the Border and I do not see any reason why it should not be introduced here. I am asking the Minister to instruct his Department to explain the matter in detail to the person concerned so that the applicant may have a fair chance of appealing against such a decision.
Comment on this
As far as I know that explanation is given. However, I will certainly take up the matter with the Department.