SOCIAL SECURITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 15, 19 January 1939, Page 13

SOCIAL SECURITY

PENSION PROVISIONS

APPLICATIONS IN MARCH

I The. announcement that application' forms were being prepared for persons who will come under the pensions provisions :of the Social Security Act on April 1 was made today by the Minister in Charge of Pensions (the Hon. W. E. Parry) when answering a question submitted to "The Post" by a correspondent. The Minister said that the public would be advised when the forms were ready. ' The correspondent asked: "Will you kindly let me know just when and how the widows' pensions are to be paid. Is it necessary to make application some time before April 1; and what amount a widow who was fifty before she became a widow might expect assuming that she has a home (and a mortgage) of her own and earns £1 per week? I have here a pamphlet which says: 'From date of widowhood or application.' It is just a little puzzling, at least, to me." MINISTER'S REPLY. "Applications may be made to' the nearest Registrar of Social Security some time in March," the Minister said. "When application forms are available, the-fact will be made known through the usual channels of publicity.

"A woman who became a widow after she reached fifty years of age and was married for at least five years may apply. The maximum benefit is £1 a week and other.income up to £1 a week may be received. The value of any property used as va home does not cause any reduction in the benefit.

"This benefit will not commence before April 1, 1939."

All existing pensions will be transferred to* the social security benefits without application by the pensioners concerned.