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

This matter concerned an appeal by an applicant against a decision affirming a refusal to grant a Disability Support Pension (DSP). The applicant contended that her various medical conditions qualified her for the DSP. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant's conditions attracted 20 points or more under the relevant impairment tables and, if so, whether she had a continuing inability to work.

The Tribunal considered the applicant's evidence, which indicated she believed her conditions were fully diagnosed and that her medication had stabilised them. However, the Tribunal noted that the applicant's living situation had impacted her ability to obtain consistent medical reports. While acknowledging the applicant's long-term conditions and their functional impacts, the Tribunal found that the corroborating medical evidence before it was limited. The applicant stated she could not afford specialist reports and did not understand how else to demonstrate eligibility.

Ultimately, the Tribunal found that while the applicant had impairments, none of her conditions could be considered permanent during the relevant period for the purpose of applying the Impairment Tables. Consequently, the Tribunal was unable to assign impairment points. As the applicant's impairments did not attract more than 20 points under the Impairment Tables, the Tribunal affirmed the decision under review.