Benefits rise

Press, 11 October 1986, Page 1

Benefits rise

PA Wellington Eleven per cent increases in social security benefits were announced . yesterday. People receiving sickness and unemployment benefits will get their new rates on November 6, and widows, invalids, war pensioners, and domestic purposes beneficiaries will receive them on November 11. All increases would be back-dated to October 1, said the Minister of Social Welfare, Mi? Hercus. Increases in superannuation were announced previously. Mrs Hercus said the increases were based on a rise of 6.12 per cent in the consumers’ price index for the six months to September, plus 5 per cent to compensate for GST. The new weekly aftertax benefits are: Married couples without children (excluding unemployment beneficiaries): $218.60 (up $22.42). Single people without

dependants (excluding unemployment beneficiaries): $131.16 (up $13.45). Married couples with children: $236.60 including Family Support for families with one child (up $22.42), increasing $l6 for each additional child. Solo parents: $214.60 a week for parents with one child, increasing $l6 a week for each additional child. Married unemployment beneficiaries without children: $174.76 (Up $17.92). Single unemployment beneficiaries: $116.05 (up $11.90). Foster care allowances have also been increased, with rises from $4.05 a week for children under five in private care to $6.30 for children aged 14 and over. Family home foster parents will get an extra $5.80 for each child. Maximum disability allowances, meanwhile, will rise $4 a week to $3O and handicapped children’s allowances $3 a week to $22.