Almost half of welfare ruling appeals upheld

Almost half of some 15,000 appeals against decisions relating to social welfare payments last year were upheld, a report published yesterday shows.

The annual report of the appeals office of the Department of Social and Family Affairs also shows that more appeals (44 per cent) were decided in the complainant's favour than were disallowed (41 per cent).

Some 15 per cent of the complaints lodged last year were subsequently withdrawn.

Among the cases mentioned in the report was that of a woman refused the one-parent family payment.

A Department officer had deemed she had not made sufficient effort to get maintenance from her estranged husband.

The woman was accompanied to the oral hearing by a worker from the local women's refuge centre.

The appeals officer concluded that because of her husband's violent behaviour "it was not possible for the appellant to pursue her husband for maintenance". Her appeal was allowed.

Other appeals outlined included an instance where a carer was awarded a reduced allowance after her means were assessed on her husband's earnings. Her appeal was upheld.