NEW PENSIONS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 11, 8 October 1936, Page 18

NEW PENSIONS

Hundreds Apply For Latest Benefits

PALMERSTON OFFICE BUSY Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, October 7. Working at full pressure for hours much in excess of the Government ideal ot 40 a week, the Pensions Department staff at Palmerston North (numbering four) is dealing with hundreds, of applications under the Governments legislation affecting pene-ioners, invalids and de sorted wives. For instance, with the reduced residential qnallhcaiton for old-age pensioners, there have been more applications in the past month than in any normal 12 months. The Pensions Department at 1 almerston North deals with the business of one of the largest provincial districts in New Zealand It covers territory as tar nortn as Ohakune and south to Waikanae, taking in Dannevirke. Pahiatua, Foxton, Marton and other towns, as well as Palmorston North city with its —o.OOO people. „ ... Hospital Board’s Position.

Not only have the existing pensions to be adjusted to the increased rates, but also tile fresh applications have to be received and investigations made into each. "The Dominion” ascertained to-day that there were 300 invalidity pension applications in by closing date, October 4. These require special inquiry, as Ibej’ are from persons not pensioners before. Of the 300. the Palmerston North Hospital Board has made 25, in about equal proportions from permanent invalids or others in its hospital, and four residents at the Old People's Home. The board has a ■ few permanent invalids in its care, and if pensions are granted them the board anticipates that they will be paid to the board for the recipients' upkeep, as is the case with inmates of the Old People's Home. It will make invalids in its institutions a personal allowance from their pensions, as has been done in the past with its old-age pensioner charges. Pensions to successful invalidity pension applicants will be retrospective to ■lnly 1. and at. the- rate of £1 a week. The possibilities, therefore, are for the release of a considerable sum of money under this head In Palmerston North and district before long. In comparison with Palmerston. North Auckland, with its population of over 200,009. had over approximately 1200 invalidity pension applications. Five Years' Rush in One. The abnormal number of applications by old-age pensioners—there are 200 on |)' nn( |_is explained by the fact that the. reduction of the residential qualification from 25 to 20 years means that persons who have been "sitting on the fence” waiting for one to five years to go by. now all come with n rush—five years of applications in one. The increase in lhe property qualification has also been responsible for a large number, of applications from persons previously ineligible. New Class of “Widows." Deserted wives, many of whom have in the past been a burden on the hospital board and other organisations, are now eligible for pensions. Over 20 deserted wives have so far applied at Palmerston North for the pension, but all applications require investigation. They are cltiS'-ed as “widows” for pension purposes, but Io endeavour to ascertain the whereabouts of their husbands proves more difficult than to produce a death certificate in the case of a real widow.

It is too early to determine to what extent the new pensions legislation will relieve the burden, carried in the past by the hospital board and other charitable social organisations, but when the legislation is in lull application it is expected the relief will be considerable. It is likely to he some time yet before there are pay-outs in Palmerston North, of the new pensions, applications for which require strict and earcful investigation.