STATE GRANTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 October 1945, Page 4

STATE GRANTS

GENEROUS NEW SCALE '■ ! FAMILY ALLOWANCE INCREASE WELLINGTON, October 4. Some light was shed on a coming’ legislative programme in the House of Representatives .when one major and three minor bills were introduced this evening. The greatest interest centred in the Social Security. ; Amendment Bill, which increases nearly all of the benefits under the Act, and introduces universal family allowances from April 1 next. Universal family benefits will be paid frnm the first of Anril next. This was

announced by Mr. Parry. Mr. Nash said that this universal benefit, ‘together with alterations to be made in income tax exemptions, l would improve the position of all the. people with incomes below £2000: pounds a year. ~ The Bill also provides for wide- | spread increases in the Social Secur-; ity benefits. Mr. Parry said that file ( increases foreshadowed in the budget j i have been included in the Bill. The i main changes concerned increases in; i the basic rates benefit from Novem- i | ber 1, and the Bill will give effect to 1 : the Government’s plan to implement i the minimum family income. Mr. Parry said that the age benefits for a married couple both of whom are eligible have been increased from the present £3/5/- per week to £4 , weekly, which, with the allowa ole I income of one pound weekly, would I provide a total income of £5 per week. Where the wife is under the ; age benefit it has been increased I from the present £2/3/- per week to £4 per week. This again with an allowable income of £1 weekly, pro- ■ viding the same maximum of £5 i weekly for the couple. This provision, he said, was an extension of the • budget proposal where it was contemplated that £ 1 weekly would be : provided for an under age wife. For single age beneficiaries, the rate has ; been increased from 32/6 per week I to £2 weekly, which with an. allow- ! able income of £l, would bring the ; income to £3 weekly.

WIDOWS & INVALIDS The benefit for widows with dependent children has been increased from the present 3.0/- to £2 per week with an allowable income of 30/-; and, in addition to this benefit, 10/- will be available under the family benefit procedure for each child of a widow. The Commission might, in its discretion, when circumstances warranted, supplement the benefit for a widowed mother with children by a further £ 1 weekly. In the case of widows who have had children, but now have none under 16 years, and who, otherwise qualify, the benefit is increased from 25/- to £2 weekly, with an allowable income of £l, bringing the total income and benfit to £3 weekly. The rate for widows without children who otherwise qualify has been increased from 25/- to 30/- weekly, with an allowable income of 30/-, bringing a total income and benefit to £3 weekly. The invalids benefits have been improved by providing for a benefit for a married male invalid of £4 weekly for himself and wife, with an allowable income of one pound, or a total of £5 weekly. When the wife is the invalid, the benefit will be increased from its present 32/6 weekly to £2, with an allowable income of £3 weekly, or a total income and benefit amounting to £5 weekly. The rate for single adult invalids has .been increased' from'. 32/6 to £2' weekly, with an allowable income of £l, making a- total of £3 weekly. Invalids under 20 years will have their benefits increased from 22/6 to 30/- weekly, with an allowable income of £l, making the total income and benefit £2/10/- weekly. The Maori war benefit is increased from 32/6 to £2 weekly, where there is only one beneficiary. Miners’ benefits, for miner and wife, have been increased from the present £2/3/- to £4 weekly. The benefit for the single miner being raised from 32/6 to £2 weekly. Miners’ widows’ benefits have been increased ■ from the present £ 1 to £l/10/- weekly with the right to receive,, if she so desires, the ordinary widow’s benefit, if such procedure is to her advantage.

SICKNESS & UNEMPLOYMENT Sickness benefits have been raised from the present £l/15/- for a married couple to £4, with an allowable income of - £l, or a limit income and benefit of £5 weekly. The sickness benefit for single persons has been raised from £1 to £2, again with the same exemption of £1 or a maximum income and benefit of £3 weekly. Persons under 20 years will have their sickness benefit increased •from 10/6 to £l, with an allowable £1 income, or a total income and benefit of £2 weekly. In all cases of sickness benefits, the total income may be increased by a further £1 where the beneficiary is in receipt of a grant from a friendly or like society. Unemployment benefits are raised from 35/- weekly for married men to £4, with an allowable income from other than salary or wages of £l, making a total of £5 weekly. Single persons’ unemployment benefit is increased from £1 to £2, with an allowable income, other than salary or wages, of a further £l, making a total of income and benefit of £3 weekly. Unemployed persons under 20 years will draw £1 instead of 10/6, with income not from wages, making the total £2 weekly. Family benefits have been amended by increasing the allowable earnings from the present rate of £5 10/- to £6/10/- weekly. This amendment is operative from November 1 until March 31 next. This means that, during this period, married persons receiving £6/10/weekly or less will qualify for a family benefit of 10/- for each child under 16 years. From April, 1946, provision is being made to ensure the payment of 10/- weekly for each child under 16 years, irrespective of income.

Universal superannuation has been amended by providing for an extension benefit from the present limit of £B4/10/- to £lO4 yearly. Except for unemployment benefits where improvements have been effected, the property qualifications for social security benefits in general have not been altered. Mr. Nash said that, as a complement to the introduction of the universal family benefit from April 1,: 1946. the Land and Income Tax Act would be amended providing that exemptions for children under sixteen would cease to operate from) that date. Mr. Algie (Nat., Remuera): “The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away.” Mr. Nash: “Blessed, be the name of the Lord.” (Laughter). * Mr. Nash said that at the same time, the exemption from taxable income in respect of a wife would be increased from £5O tq £lOO. Under this new provision, anyone with an' income under £2OOO yearly would be better off. The exemption for a wife would be increased, and, while the exemption for children under 16 would disappear, there would be a benefit of £26 payable in respect of such children. The Bill was. read the first time.