NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (SICKNESS BENEFIT).

HC Deb 12 March 1920 vol 126 cc1689-90W

Mr. EDWARD KELLY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that John Long, of Cappry, Ballybofey, county Donegal, has been in communication with the National Health Insurance (Commissioners, Dublin, for some months with reference to his claim for sickness benefit since September, 1919; that the Commissioners have ceased replying to his letters; and that he has obtained no benefit although he was not in arrears; and will he explain the circumstances of the case?

Mr. MAGPHERSON

A complaint from Mr. Long as to non-receipt of sickness benefit was received by the National Health Insurance Commissioners on the 1st December, 1919, and he was referred to his Society as to the reason therefor. A further letter was received at the end of December showing that his Society (The National Union of Railwaymen) had refused benefit on the ground that he was suspended from benefit owing to arrears, no stamped contribution cards having been received for the contribution year ended June, 1918, credits during which contribution year determined the rate of benefit payable during the year November, 1918, to 4th January, 1920. Enquiry was then made from Mr. Long by the Commissioners as to the disposal of the cards, and he stated that the card for the second half-year of 1917 fully stamped had been posted on 20th January, 1919, to the agent of the Society at Strabane, and that no card had been stamped for the first half-year, 1918, owing to Mr. Long's incapacity for work. As it appeared that the card for the second half, 1917, had not reached the Society it was ne essary to make enquiries from the employer as to the stamping and from the Society's agent as to the non-receipt of the card. The Commissioners have agreed to replace the card and are in correspondence with the Society as to crediting the contributions. The Commissioners have, however, no power under the Regulations to direct any revision of the rate of benefit for any period earlier than the date upon which notice of the loss of the card was received and Mr. Long has been so informed.