Close to half of the appeals made to the Social Welfare Appeals Office last year were successful. Mark Roddenreports.
The office's annual report for 2006 shows that 46 per cent of appeals it adjudicated on were upheld. Some 6,439 of the 14,006 cases completed last year had a favourable outcome, 5,860 (42 per cent) were rejected and 1,707 (12 per cent) were withdrawn.
Appeals concerning the respite care grant were up 75 per cent, and those dealing with disability allowance rose by 10 per cent.
Appeals relating to child benefit were down 34 per cent, and those concerning Jobcentres benefit fell by 17 per cent.
Appeals officers dealt with 65 per cent of appeals through oral hearings, while 23 per cent were resolved by way of revised decisions by the original deciding officer. During 2006 the average time taken to process all appeals was 21 weeks.
The report criticises "multiple and piecemeal decision-making" by deciding officers, which, it says, led to delays.
Brian Flynn, chief appeals officer, said appeals officers had noted a "growing tendency by deciding officers to address only one condition in a case at a time". This was leading to more formal decisions and more appeals.
"This situation hardly commends itself, giving rise as it does to delays in giving decisions, and confusion and poor customer service being experienced by applicants."
The report also criticises "inadequate information and explanations" given to customers who have had unsuccessful claims, and the failure by some deciding officers and social welfare inspectors to attend oral appeals.
Mr Flynn said delays in submitting papers to his office were a "major concern", and was prolonging the appeals process.
He had requested that consideration be given to a revision of the earnings limit for a rent supplement for people who have secured employment after being unemployed for 12 months or more.
The supplement is designed to help people make the transition from welfare to work, and allows them to retain rent supplement on a graduated basis for up to four years. The earnings limit was fixed at €317.43 in 1994.
The report also expresses concern that rent supplement was refused in the case of a number of people seeking to rent accommodation in the Ballymun Regeneration Area on the grounds that Dublin City Council refused the payment.
For more information see www.socialwelfareappeals.i.e