BENEFITS PAYABLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19988, 13 July 1939, Page 6

BENEFITS PAYABLE

INVALIDITY PENSIONERS - PERIOD IN HOSPITAL (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Answering a question regarding the position of an invalidity pensioner who was obliged to enter a hospital, the acting-Minister of Social Security, the Hon. W. E. Parry, explained that he woulci be better off under the Social Security Act than under the old legislation providing invalidity pensions. Previously, the hospital authorities had power to take instalments oi a pensioner’s pension. Under the new Act, if *a person receiving the invalidity benefit was in hospital for a period less than, a month, the whole benefit instalment due was paid to that person. If he should- be in hospital more than a month, 25 per cent at least of the, benefit is paid and, having regard to the circumstances of the ease, consideration would be given to the payment of the balance. During -the month of discharge, from the hospital the full-benefit is paid. “Bu*t -apart from that,” Mr. Parry added, "provision is made for the payment of the whole or some part of the benefit; to the wife or near dependants of a married man receiving the invalidity 'benefit who has the misfortune to be in hospital. A favourable review generally is given to a case .in which circumstances of the kind arise.”