Disability benefit appeal in Kilkenny
Disability benefit was refused after a medical referee found the applicant fit for work, then paid from March 1981 after a second referee found him incapable; the earlier period awaits appeal. The Minister confirmed both referees were qualified doctors.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has not been paid disability benefit since April 1980.
Comment on this
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from December 1976 and was paid to 17 May 1980. Payment was disallowed after that date as he was considered by a medical referee of my Department to be capable of work.
He was examined by a second medical referee on 1 May 1981 and was considered to be incapable of work but from 1 March 1981 only. Payment has therefore been made from 1 March to 11 May 1981. His claim is being passed to an appeals office for decision in respect of the period 18 May 1980 to 28 February 1981.
Comment on this
A qualified doctor. Medical referees are all qualified doctors. That sort of question arises from time to time because a person may bring additional evidence, or additional supporting evidence to the second medical referee, so if there is a dispute we often arrange for the attendance of a second medical referee.
