SETTLING CLAIMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 June 1939, Page 9

SETTLING CLAIMS

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS DELAY REGRETTED BY MINISTER K'nitert Press AsmiciHMonl WELLINGTON, 29th June. “No one is more concerned than myself and the officers of the Department that a delay in finally and satisfactorily settling the applications for Social Security benefits should be avoided,” said the Hon. W. E. Parry, acting Minister of Social Security in an interview to-day. The Minister said he knew that in the four chief centres, Auckland. Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, the position was more acute than in the secondary districts which were proceeding much more quickly. He understood some applicants felt, when there was a little delay in putting their cases through, that they would not receive payments retrospectively; that was a mistaken impression. As an instance of the date from which payments were made—an applicant applied for Social Security benefits on 30th April and his application was granted and he drew payments from the first of that month.

By keen concentration, and the willing working of long hours, the staff had been able to dispose of two-thirds of the huge number of claims, and although applications were still pouring in in unnrecedented numbers, there were now indications of a distinct slackening off. This should enable the Department to overtake arrears and reach normality in a month or six weeks. KARITANE HOSPITALS POSITION IN REVIEW CHRISTCHURCH, 28th June. P’or mother and babies receiving treatment in the Karitane hosiptals. it is possible that the Plunket Society will receive the hospital benefit of six shillings a patient a day under the social security scheme. Dr. R. A. Shore, assistant Director-General of Health, said to-day that the society’s position under the scheme was being considered, and it was expected that a decision would be reached soon. The council of the society has written to the department asking what arrangement, if any, is likely to be made. Already a grant is received annually from the Government, but there is a prospect that under the social security scheme there will be added to this the separate payment on account of each patient.