MEANS TEST

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 July 1939, Page 8

MEANS TEST

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —After reading ye-a? note appended to J. Miller's letter in your issue of July 10, many would welcome further enlightenment regarding their eligibility for age benefits, as at present much is little understood and many matters people should know are veiled in mystery. After the lapse of nearly three months many applicants are still kept in the dark as to whether they have passed the means test. Naturally, they are beginning to wonder whether the delay is due to the anomalies which the Prime Minister stated would be corrected! and whether that meant a relaxing or a tightening of the present restrictions. If the latter, surely such would hardly conform with the promise to eventually abolish the means test altogether. I would be crratefuT if you would furnish, for those interested, some enlightenment re the following:—

First, is it not a fact that anyone over <:ixty may keep any number of lodgers, provide the tariff for °ach dors not °xoeed £1 per week, and may in addition have an income of £1 per week and still be eligible for the age benefit?

Secondly, does a mortgaged home affect the age benefit of an applicant who has not sufficient income to support the outgoings of the property but who is assisted therein by relatives in return for the use of part of it? Surely an aged man has not to relinquish his old home and the congenial atmosphere of his own kin therein before he can become eligible.

Thirdly, is an applicant who prior to April 1 was maintained by well-to-do relatives, but who now prefers to be self-reliant, to be debarred from the age benefit on account of his well-to-do relations? If so, then he is being penalised because of their charitable attitude. -Moreover, the extraordinary position arises whereby an applicant whose relatives pay a substantial Social Security tax is debarred while another whose relatives pay a small tax is eligible. It is all very well for people to. argue that the well-to-do should supnort their poorer relations, but when they pay the Government a big tax to help support the wh6le community, why should they not. be relieved somewhat in return by the Government supporting their aged relatives by the age benefits? Why. should the well-to-do be expected to stand the double strain? It is not a matter of charity: it is fair exchange, and only right.

Then, again, what about the feelings of their aged encumbrants in the matter? I assure you there are many aged people who are very, very sad at heart, realising the excessive drain this all means to their supporters: and they would welcome any avenue, be it ever so small, that would give them that feeling of independence which is one of the sweetest joys in old age, and the certain knowledge that they were not entirely encumbrances' on their friends.—l am, etc.,

SYMPATHY

[With regard to the first matter raised, it is only the actual profit derived from the lodgers or boarders that is taken into account in determining eligibility for benefit. Without full particulars a definite reply could not be given, and it is suggested that the person concerned call at the office of the Social Security Department, when the position will be explained. The ■ information supplied in the second question is too meagre to enable a definite reply to be given. Before an assessment of the actual income de-j rived in such a case could be made, it would be necessary for the Depart ment to have full knowledge of the arrangements entered into and details of the expenses in connection therewith. The registrar of Social Security will be pleased to advise the person concerned on this point if he will call and supply the additional information required. The circumstances of an applicant's relatives do not affect the right to benefit. However, in deter- ; mining income for Social Security purposes, the allowance received from any source would be charged. If. in the particular case referred to, the periodical payments received are reduced or withdrawn, the Commission may grant a full benefit by charging the anticipated income.]