AGE BENEFICIARIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 23, 27 July 1942, Page 4

AGE BENEFICIARIES

HOSPITAL TREATMENT

The position of age beneficiaries under the Social Security Act who enter hospital was- explained yesterday by the Minister of Social Security (Mr. Parry)- It had been stated, he said, by one hospital board chairman that £5 a month was deducted by the State from the age benefit, and that in consequence some beneficiaries who were paying rent for rooms or homes had no alternative but to relinquish tenancy. The Minister emphasised that there was adequate protection under the Act to meet the position. Where a person was in receipt of a hospital benefit the Act provided that the age benefit was not payable as of right, but in such circumstances the Commission could authorise a grant at any rate it thought fit. While it was usual in the case of a beneficiary without dependants to pay £1 16s 6d a month, that grant was to meet the immediate needs of the patient. Sympathetic consideration was always given to the question of additional assistance if the circumstances warranted it. Where there was need for continuance of tenancy in respect of a room or a home, those facts, the Minister said, would be sufficient to enable the* Commission to grant an increased benefit to the hospital inmate, more especially if the admission period was limited. SYMPATHETIC TREATMENT. "I find it hard to understand^" Mr. Parry said, "that criticism should be levelled at the rates of benefit allowed while beneficiaries are in hospital. My experience has shown that the Commission deals very sympathetically in such cases. Perhaps these representations are more concerned with tho delay which sometimes occurs in adjusting benefits following" discharge from hospital. Here /an endeavour has already been made to meet the position. It is realised that it is only where beneficiaries have no dependants that any reduction in the benefit is made while in hospital. Even in these cases the Commission has authority to issue up to the full amount if the cir- i cumstances warrant it. I feel that the actual number of cases represented in this complaint must be very limited." If details were given where it was thought hardship had resulted and beneficiaries had been thrown on charity, either because of the inadequacy of the benefit granted or because of the delay in making payment available, he would have the cases hn:ut'diat»>!y investigated.