Payment of benefits

Press, 29 August 1979, Page 20

Payment of benefits

Sir, — Mr Cree (August 25), discussing a survey on the needs of the aged in 1973, says: “Of a select 301 in hardship, only 67 persons actually managed to obtain supplementary aid because of further screening by administrative red tape.” The implication is that even after the Government .enunciates a policy, public servants take a further power “by administrative red tape,” whatever that may mean. Staff of this department do not work in that way. The criticism is made that staff do not use discretion in dealing with applications for additional benefit but “stick to the rules.” Staff must abide by Government policy and they do that. They are, however, instructed to use discretion as far as is allowed and deal sympathetically with all cases. Additional benefit, concerns help above the normal statutory benefits so that many are the reasons for apph-

cation and the supporting evidence has to be evaluated to ensure a correct decision. -— Yours, etc., C. L. WATERS, Director, Department of Social Welfare, Christchurch. August 27, 1979.