<p>
	A majority of people last year who appealed decisions that had refuse or part-granted them social welfare payments received a favourable outcome.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The latest, annual report of the Social Welfare Appeals Office shows appellants had a success rate of 59%.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Appeals were disallowed in 36% of claims and withdrawn or not pursued in 5%.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The number of people who appealed fell by 6% last year, or 1,600, down to 24,475.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The vast majority of appeals related to claims for benefits and allowances for illness, disability, and caring and working age-income supports.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Appeals over decisions on the Disability Allowance are the single biggest category, with 6,435 new cases lodged last year.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	In contrast, the number of appeals relating to pensions and child-income supports is relatively low.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	25,406 appeals were finalised in 2015, a 19% reduction on the previous year&rsquo;s figures. One in five of all appeals was revised in favour of the applicant, as a result of a review carried out by an official of the Department of Social Protection, on foot of notification from the SWAO that the original decision was being appealed.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The average time to process social welfare appeals was reduced from 24.2 weeks, in 2014, to 20.9 weeks last year.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The chief appeals officer, Joan Gordon, said the wait was due to the Department&rsquo;s submission on the appeal case, further medical assessments, further investigation and possible oral hearings.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	6,900 cases went to an oral hearing last year. Despite last year&rsquo;s reduction in appeals, the SWAO said the number is still significantly higher than pre-2009 levels.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The reduction in new cases during 2015 is attributed to fewer appeals relating to working age, income, and employment support schemes.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	For example, there was a 21% decrease in appeals concerning jobseekers&rsquo; allowance.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Almost three-fifths of all appeals are made by females.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Males have a slightly more successful appeal rate, with 64% of them receiving a favourable decision, compared to 61% of women.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/59-of-social-welfare-appeals-succeeded-400304.html">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/59-of-social-welfare-appeals-succeeded-400304.html</a></p>
