Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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42. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) in County Carlow was not advised of an entitlement to a widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension on being awarded a bereavement grant at the time of the death of a spouse or when the person applied for a state pension a number of years later. [2634/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied to the Department for a bereavement grant on the 22 November 2004, following the death of their late spouse in November 2003. The person concerned was awarded bereavement grant and the payment issued by cheque on 2 December 2004. The letter of award of bereavement grant notified the person concerned of the option to apply for widower’s contribution pension, if not already availed of, and to forward the application form to Widows and Orphans Pension Section, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Pension Services Office, College Road, Sligo.

An application for widower’s contributory pension was not received from the person concerned until 10 November 2015. Legislation provides for backdating of widow’s, widower’s and surviving civil partner contributory pension claims for a period of six months, which was paid to the person concerned. Further backdating of pension may be considered where the failure to claim on time was as a result of either false or misleading information supplied by a member of staff of the Department, or where the applicant was so incapacitated by illness or infirmity that they were not able to make a claim, or instruct another person to act on their behalf, within the prescribed time.

According to the records of the department, the person concerned has not yet made a claim for state pension (contributory). I have arranged for an application to be sent to the person concerned, which should be completed and returned to State pension (contributory) section, Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo. On receipt a Deciding Officer will examine their entitlement and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.