Figures released for appeals against social security benefits

The Social Security Appeal Board received 173 appeals against social security benefits in 2002-03, an increase of 44% compared with 120 appeals in the preceding year.

The 173 appeals comprised 45 Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) cases, 126 Social Security Allowance (SSA) cases and two Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) cases.

"Compared with the previous year, there was an increase of 20 appeals (80%) in CSSA, an increase of 35 appeals (38%) in SSA and a decrease of two appeals (50%) in TAVA cases," a Social Welfare Department spokesman said.

During the year, the board heard a total of 133 cases, of which 49 were brought forward from 2001-02. No board hearing was conducted for two cases brought forward from the previous year due to the appellants'''' withdrawal of the appeals.

Of the 133 appeals, the board confirmed the department''''s decisions in 102 cases (77%) and varied its decisions in 31 cases (23%).

The spokesman pointed out that for the 31 cases with decisions in favour of the appellants, 30 cases appealed against a medical decision and one CSSA case appealed against a decision on the amount of care and attention allowance.

"As for the previous year, a total of 79 cases were heard. Of them, the board confirmed the department''''s decisions in 61 cases (77%) and varied its decisions in 18 cases (23%)," he added.

"Any persons who are not satisfied with the decision of the Social Welfare Department in respect of eligibility and payment of social security benefits can appeal in writing to the board, which is an independent body," he said.

An appeal could be lodged at the Office of the Appeal Board, the Social Welfare Department''''s Headquarters or any of its 38 social security field units, or the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Section.

Ends

Saturday, January 17, 2004