11 Contributions Short for State Pension

Tim76

Hi all,

My mother was recently refused the state pension because she was short 11 paid full rate social insurance contributions.

She contacted a local politician about it and he arranged a review but they wouldn't overturn their decision.

She now wishes to appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer. Does anyone know what the process involves? Is it just a case of her drafting a letter stating her case or is this something where professional help should be sought?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Bubbaclaus

To be honest I'm not sure what an appeal will achieve. She doesn't meet the conditions for a Contributory Pension, if they start handing them out to people that don't qualify where would it end?

She will be assessed for a Non-Contributory Pension like everyone else that didn't make enough contributions.

smjm

Tim76 wrote: »

Hi all,

My mother was recently refused the state pension because she was short 11 paid full rate social insurance contributions.

She contacted a local politician about it and he arranged a review but they wouldn't overturn their decision.

She now wishes to appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer. Does anyone know what the process involves? Is it just a case of her drafting a letter stating her case or is this something where professional help should be sought?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Not sure what professional help you could seek, but no harm popping in to your local Citizens Information office.

The Qualifying for State pension (contributory) - FAQ's says that you have 21 days from the date of the review to appeal the decision: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Qualifying-for-State-Pension-Contributory.aspx#q27

Good luck!

Balagan

Tim76 wrote: »

Hi all,

My mother was recently refused the state pension because she was short 11 paid full rate social insurance contributions.

She contacted a local politician about it and he arranged a review but they wouldn't overturn their decision.

She now wishes to appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer. Does anyone know what the process involves? Is it just a case of her drafting a letter stating her case or is this something where professional help should be sought?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

This site has lots of info and you can follow the link to the appeals process - take note of the time limit for making an appeal http://www.socialwelfareappeals.ie/case_studies/category.html?id=11
You will note in the case histories section that mistakes have indeed been made in calculating the contributions paid and also, of course, there are the instances where employers may not have coughed up the contributions. It would be good if your mother could check that all contributions that should be there are there.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Tim76 wrote: »

Hi all,

My mother was recently refused the state pension because she was short 11 paid full rate social insurance contributions.

She contacted a local politician about it and he arranged a review but they wouldn't overturn their decision.

She now wishes to appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer. Does anyone know what the process involves? Is it just a case of her drafting a letter stating her case or is this something where professional help should be sought?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Does she have a case? An actual one in which she is entitled to credits she hasn't received? Has she reviewed her credits record?