ECONOMIC PENSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 November 1923, Page 8

ECONOMIC PENSION

METHOD OF APPLICATION. The economic pension, and the means of obtaining it, have been a source of conjecture among those entitled io it, for some time, but tire department responsible has already made complete arrangements for- the supply of necessary uetails to those about to benefit by the legislation passed last session by Parliament. The economic pension is available to ex-soldiers, war-widows, widowed mothers, and children. The maximum amount of the pension is 50/ a week. For the totally-disabled, this amount .1 uxe tne place of the previous supplementary grant of 20/ a week, under the 1917 Act, and 10/- a week under the 1920 Act, now withdrawn. To these there will thus be no increase.

For the partially-disabled ex-soldier-, the Act embodies the principle of repatriation, and meets the case of the man whose disablement is of such a nature as to make it difficult for him to obtain employment. In the case of the man who is granted an economic pension while out of work, the board may pension his wife and children concurrently.

The applicant will require to submit any written evidence as to his ability to obtain employment,®!’ to retain any employment obtained by him; his present income; and, if he has had employment, why such employment has terminated. Where the applicant is carrying on business of any sort —by shop, farm or other means—a short statement of receipts and expenditure should be furnished. Where the applicant is married, particulars will be required as to the earnings or other income of his wife. It will assist if a medical certificate is furnished with any claim by a partially-disabled soldier, whose reason for unemployment is given as medical unfitness. An economic pension of 10/- a week, to a widow with one child, increased by 2/6 a- week for each additional child, may be granted. Where no civil widows’ pension is payable, the reason for the application will be required, together with particulars as to circumstances. ; WIDOWED MOTHERS. Widowed mothers, in receipt of a pension, on account of a deceased son, may be granted an economic pension of £1 a week. Any income, such as oldage or other pen-sion, may be taken into account in considering the claim. The position of applicants under this head will be on record in connection with the original for pension, but any change .of circumstances, for better or worse, will require to be stated. Applications by a mother, or other guardian of a child, to continue the child’s pension beyond the age of 16 for educational purposes should be accompanied by a certificate from the head teacher of the institution where the child is continuing its education. To meet the case of the wear and tear of clothing, arising from the use of artificial limbs, an allowance of£B per annum for amputation above the knee, and £6 per annum below the knee, is provided. Written application is required in each case, giving the reason for the application. The allowance to attendant has been increased from £1 to £3 a week where deemed necessary. Written application is required, with particulars of services rendered to the attendant, including information .as to whether attendant is whole- or part-time, applicant’s income and wages or other remuneration paid to the attendant.

There are two grounds of appeal, and they relate to—■

(1) The assessment of a pension, on medical grounds ; and (2) The rejection of a claim, in respect of a disability not deemed to be due to or aggravated by war service. Appellants will be notified when their case will bo dealt with by the Appeal Board.

The Appeal Board will begin its sittings at Parliament House, Wellington, on Tuesday next. The names of two medical officers appointed by the board are Dr 11. Campbell, M.C., Wellington, and Dr Stuart Moore, Otago. The names of the medical officers for Canterbury and Auckland will be announced shortly. The secretarial duties of the board will be carried out temporarily, during pleasure, by Mr Eric Millton, associate to his Honor Sir Frederick Chapman, chairman of the board. APPEAL TO MAGISTRATE. The right of appeal to a magistrate is limited to pensioners who have suffered a reduction or withdrawal of pension, on account of bad character. Application should be made in writing, addressed to the Commissioner of Pensions, Wellington. The schedule of injuries has been varied, to provide for increase of pension to : — (1) Soldiers who have had a leg amputated through the hip-joint; and (2) Soldiers who have been pensioned for amputation of the left hand or other portion of the left arm. The new forms of application —for the economic pension or the appeal against pension—may be obtained 'direct from the Commissioner of Pensions, Wellington, or from the fortythree registrars of pensions in the Dominion. All claims for economic pensions must be lodged with the local registrar of pensions, who has been given instructions to assist in the preparation of the forms.