PAYMENT OF PENSIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19915, 18 April 1939, Page 7

PAYMENT OF PENSIONS

SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME NEW OFFICE TAKING OVER STARTING NEXT MONTH Commencing next month, the new office of the Social Security Department in Gisborne will take over the payment of pensions, along with other benefits under the Social Security Act. In the past, pensioners collected their payments from the Post Office, and will do so until the end of this month.

At present only pensions, sickness and emergency benefits are payable, the health section of the scheme not having come into force yet. All applications for benefits must be made personally to the office of the Social Security Department, except in the case of sickness, when some person authorised by the applicant may do so.

Members of friendly societies receive benefits through their lodges, and for the purpose discussing the procedure of the system the district registrar, Mr. N. R. .Johnson, has arranged to meet lodge secretaries on Thursday evening. The registration of women and children over the age of 16 years is proceeding. Pensioners are not liable for the payment of the 5s registration fee, unless they are in receipt of income other than the pension, but all others are required to pay the fee. In the event of an exemption being claimed, a separate torm must be filled in.

OBTAINING FULL BENEFIT SALE OF INVESTMENTS With the idea of participating in the age benefits under the Social Security Act, it is reported that some elderly persons have been liquidating various assets which had been returning them a small income, and investing the proceeds in a home. Auckland lapd agents state that sales of small house properties have been made in the past few weeks to persons who intend to claim age benefits.

A married couple, both of whom are 60 years or more, are entitled to £1 10s each, and may have up to £1 a week other income. The possession o.f a house in which they live does not affect their eligibility for the full pension. The tendency mentioned represents the endeavour by the persons concerned to readjust their position sb as to obtain the maximum benefit of the legislation.

Inquiries are also said to be in process by Government superannuants who propose to capitalise their superannuation for the purpose of purchasing a home. They will then claim social security age benefits'.