Can welfare benefits be denied to a lawyer despite having a formal law degree and Bar enrollment?

My father passed away recently. He was a practicing advocate and a registered member of the Tamil Nadu Advocates Welfare Fund.

He completed his law education from Shri Balaji College of Law, Bengaluru, which is a recognized formal law college, and he was duly enrolled with the Bar Council. He practiced law for several years and regularly contributed to the Welfare Fund.

Now, due to an ongoing issue/case, an objection is being raised saying that advocates who did not study through a “proper” college route may not be eligible for Welfare Fund benefits. Because of this, my family is facing uncertainty in receiving the Welfare Fund amount.

This is confusing because:

He studied at a formal, recognized law college

He was officially enrolled as an advocate

He was a member of the Welfare Fund and paid contributions

My questions are:

1. Can welfare benefits legally be denied after someone’s death based on doubts about their mode of education, when they were already enrolled and allowed to practice?

2. Has anyone faced a similar situation with the Tamil Nadu Advocates Welfare Fund or any other state welfare fund?

3. What is the usual legal remedy in such cases?

Any guidance or shared experiences would be really helpful. Thank you.