Beattie and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review)

This matter concerned an appeal by the applicant, Beattie, against a decision of the Secretary of the Department of Social Services affirming a decision that she did not qualify for a disability support pension. The appeal was heard by Brigadier AG Warner, Member, of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The primary legal issues before the Tribunal were whether the applicant suffered from any physical, intellectual, or psychiatric impairments that attracted an impairment rating of at least 20 points under the Impairment Tables, and whether, as a consequence of these impairments, she had a continuing inability to work.

The Member considered the evidence presented, including medical reports and the applicant's own testimony, in relation to the criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1991 and the relevant Impairment Tables. The Member found that the applicant's impairments did not meet the threshold of 20 impairment points as required by the legislation, nor was there sufficient evidence to establish a continuing inability to work due to those impairments. The Member therefore affirmed the decision under review.