WAR PENSIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1938, Page 7

WAR PENSIONS

PROVISION FOR INCREASES TAKING EFFECT IN APRIL NEXT. ECONOMIC GRANT RAISED TO 30s A WEEK. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. ■ The promised alterations in war pensions are made in a section of the Finance Bill which was submitted to the House of Representatives yesterday. Increases in pensions and allowances will come into force on April 1 next year. The maximum rate of economic pensions granted to disabled members of the- forces is extended to 30s a week, and it is also provided that step-child-ren and adopted children will be classed as dependants if they became members of the pension’s family before August 1, 1936.

The rates of allowances under the War Veterans Allowances Act are also increased. In the case of a veteran who has no wife or dependent children, the allowance will be at the rate of £65 a year, diminished by £1 for every complete £1 of annual income in excess of £52. In every other case the allowance will be at the rate of £65 a year in respect of the veteran’s personal claim, with additions of £39 a year in respect of a wife and £l3 a year for each dependant child. The same income limitations will apply and the total allowance to any family must not exceed £156 a year, although in special cases an extension may be granted up to a maximum of £lB2 a year. Authority is also given for the payment of forfeited allowances to dependants when a veteran is in a prison or public institution, while allowances in respect of children may be continued beyond the age of 16 years for educational purposes, although they will cease at the age of 18 years. There is a further provision by which veterans of the South African War will qualify for allowances.