NEW PENSIONERS

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1936, Page 2

NEW PENSIONERS

Over 11,000 More INVALIDITY PENSIONS BEING CONSIDERED. AUCKLAND, December 17. Since the passing of the Pensions Amendment. Act on August 31 this year, 11,071 new civil pensions have been granted, according t-o an announcinent made by the Minisi.er for Pensions (the Hon. W. E, Ptarry). Most of the new pensions were granted on claims based on the- amended legislation, which eases the age, property, and residential qualifications of applicants. Details of the claims received and the pensions granted since August 31, together witli the number of pensions in force as on Wednesday, were given by the Minister as

Mr. Parry added that pensions in force at Augustl 31 had increased from 50,681 to 60,448 on December 16, an increase of 9767. “Many of the old age pensions which have been granted' during the last three months”, the Minister continued, “have been in cases where the qualifications of the applicants did not comply with the provisions of the original act. The departmental files showed some very sad cases, particularly those in which applicants owned property which brought them little or no income, but which debarred'them from the receipt of the pension. The requirements for widows’ pensions have also been modified, wiYh the result tlhat the lot of many women is now much happier.”

Referring to the 4277 invalidity pensions granted out of 8699 applications received under the new legislation, M. Parry said every effort was being made to deal with cases as expeditious, ly as possible. The departmental' officers had a diffieultl task in considering the various claims; but they were keen to get as many as possible approved before the holiday season. “The legislation is being generous’y administered,” the Minister added. “Every applicant whose claim for a pension is rejected on medical grounds has the right; of appeal to a board ctf three registered medical practitioiers.” " '

The Minister said it was hoped that a start would be made next week with ‘be hearing of invalidity pensions appeals. Regisrars of Pensions would notify the applicants when and where to appear before the appeal boards, which would consist of doctors who had not been concerned with the original applications.

New Total PenClaims. sions. sions. Old age . .1 8,147 6,179 50,047 Widows i. 849 421 4,609 Invalidity .. 8,699 4,343 4,793 .Miners .... 193 128 999 Totals . 17,888 11,071 60,888