§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the definition of a "good cause" for those eligible for the over-80 pension to delay their applications.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe question whether a claimant has "good cause" for a late claim for a national insurance benefit is for the independent adjudicating authorities appointed under the National Insurance Acts. The National Insurance Commissioner, the final adjudicating authority, has held that "good cause" is
some fact which, having regard to all the circumstances (including the claimant's state of health and the information which he had received and that which he might have obtained) would probably have caused a reasonable person of his age and experience to act (or fail to act) as the claimant did".
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why in leaflet NI 184 no mention is made of the right of appeal and the procedure 184W to be adopted on appeal by those applying for the over-80 pension.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownLeaflet NI 184 does not refer to right of appeal in order to keep it as brief as possible, bearing in mind that it is for the use of very elderly people. If, however, a claim for an over-80 pension is rejected the claimant is automatically told of his right of appeal when the rejection is notified to him.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of those eligible for the over-80 pension, applying for it within their eighty-first year, having delayed doing so for a "good cause" as defined in leaflet NI 184, have not been awarded a full pension or have had the pension post-dated.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownI regret that this information is not available. Although lateness in claiming pension may affect the period for which any arrears of pension can be paid, it does not affect the rate of pension awarded.