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

This matter concerned an appeal by Ms Lennon against a decision of the Secretary of the Department of Social Services affirming a determination that she was not qualified for a Disability Support Pension. The decision was made by N A Manetta SM in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The primary legal issues before the Tribunal were whether Ms Lennon met the requirements for a Disability Support Pension, specifically whether she had accumulated at least 20 points under the Impairment Tables and whether she had met the Program of Support requirements.

The Tribunal acknowledged the significant physical and psychological injuries Ms Lennon had suffered throughout her life, including a severe stroke at age 13 and serious sexual assaults during a Rotary Exchange program in Brazil. Despite these hardships, the Tribunal found that Ms Lennon had not met the stringent requirements of the Social Security Act 1991 for a Disability Support Pension. The Tribunal affirmed the decision under review.