AGED AND BLIND

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 November 1924, Page 5

AGED AND BLIND

INCREASED PENSIONS. NOW IN OPERATION. PROVISION FOR WIDOWS. ; [Old age and other pensioners in New Zealand will learn with saiistfaction. that' more liberal pensions are iiqyy being paid. The''old Age pensioner without income' or property will receive 2s 6d peir week more, ami those afflicted with blindness fare also toreceive more consideration. Widows’ pensions have also been revised.] (By Telegraph—Special'to the Star.) : WELLINGTON, Nov. 27. ' Several improvements to the New Zealand pensions scheme have commenced to 'operate, •pensioners having received the monetarylbenefit with recent payments. The large class of old age pensioner, without ineome or property, has .secured an additional 2b 6d weekly. About 7000, persons are in this category, their monthly pension being increased to £3 15s lOd. Property deductions have been, eased, enabling the full pensions to be paid where the home is up to, £520“ in value. The former income limit of £39 is raised to £52/ whieh. the pensioner 'can- eafn before deductions; to the pension operate; Widows’ pensions are also increased • by 2s 6d weekly, giving 10s to a widow and a similar amount to children under the age of 14. This extension costs £BO,OOO annually, while old age pension changes .mean additional expenditure. The provisions regarding widows’ earnings ; have been liberalised, so that the- 1 earned' income of a widow with one. child may be £2 10s without deduction of pension; ' Endeavours are being made to ex- 1 , pedite the printing of foims for blind pensions, os these ore now payable at the rate of 15s weekly. The conditions are similar to .those for old age pensions, excepting the age, whieh in the case of blind persons is 20 years or over. Applications are do be made to the Registrar of Pensions in the various districts,-• and when approved by the .Commissioner of Pensions will be payable as from the first of the month in which 'the application whs made. It is possible to secure a ■ pension without - waitingfor official forms, though the officers will help applicants to give the necessary information. A provision, unique in pension law is associated with 'this develop-' mont of New Zealand's pension *sys- ■ tern. The earnings, of a blind pensioner will be subsidised to the .extent of 25 ; per cent, up to a point which will make the income including the pensiori £3 lOs weekly. It is also possible, 1 if the’ pensioner wishes to be trained in a blind institution outside New Zealand, suchas St. Dunstan’s, to draw the pension while out of the Dominion. One application of this character has already been approved. y