More benefit appeals granted

MORE than half of all people who appealed a decision to refuse or only part-grant them social welfare payments last year were successful.

The latest Social Welfare Appeals Office annual report shows appellants received a full or part-grant in 56.7% of cases 2019.

Appeals were disallowed in 37.5% of cases while 5.8% were either withdrawn or not pursued.

SWAO figures show the number appealing against decisions rose by 19% last year. The 2019 report shows the total of new appeals received was 22,397 – an annual increase of around 3,500.

The majority of the increase relates to appeals on illness, disability and carer schemes.

The largest single category was Disability Allowance at 6,242 cases – the highest since 2013 and more than 1,000 extra compared to 2018.

The number of appeals for an invalidity pension soared by 35% last year to 1,874.

However, as a sign of last year’s strong economic conditions, the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance appeals was down almost 11% to 2,633 – its lowest level in a decade.

Females accounted for 60% of all social welfare appeals last year.

The average time to process appeals last year was 24.7 weeks

Chief appeals officer Joan Gordon said the time taken was a reflection of having to seek the submission of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as well as medical assessments, further investigation and possible oral hearings.