With 6 in 10 welfare appeals being granted, it’s time to fix the application process – O’Dea

“When 6 in 10 welfare appeals end up being granted, it’s time to change the application process,” says Fianna Fáil’s Employment Affairs and Social Protection Spokesperson, Willie O’Dea TD.

Deputy O’Dea was commenting as new data, released to Fianna Fáil, has revealed that 58.6% of social welfare appeals resulted in a favourable decision to date in 2019.

“To date in 2019, 11,181 appeals have been lodged, 58.2% of the 10,544 finalised appeals resulting in a favourable outcome for the applicant.

“Much time and effort has been expended in recent years to reform the appeals process to speed it up, but the same level of effort has not been put in to reforming the initial application process.

“When 6 in 10 appeals end up being granted, it’s clear to me that the initial application system is either too convoluted or not clear enough for citizens to navigate through.

“Appeals, despite improvements in recent years, can still take up to 23 weeks for a summary decision and 28 weeks if an oral hearing is required.

“The objective needs to be streamlining the application process so that those with legitimate claims get their benefits paid out as quickly as possible.

“The result of eligible applicants waiting over seven months for an appeal to be granted is a lot of stress and worry.

“The application for a payment may be the only source of income in a family, and while a supplementary welfare allowance may be paid, it is not guaranteed.

“Let’s be frank, a lot of State resources are being wasted overseeing appeals that weren’t actually necessary.

“Minister Doherty needs to get to the root of why so many applications are declined in the first instances and make the changes needed to remove the ambiguity that is leading so many applicants to wait such long periods of time to receive their entitlements,” concluded O’Dea.