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EMERGENCY BENEFITS In cases of hardship a special benefit may be granted at the discretion of the Social Security Commission to any person who is not qualified for any other benefit under the Act, but who by reason of age, physical or mental disability, or for any other reason is unable to earn a sufficient livelihood for himself and his dependants. Emergency benefits may also be granted in lieu of other benefits where it is considered that a course of medical treatment or training in any occupation would be beneficial. Full and sympathetic use was made of this section, and during the past year 2,735 benefits were granted. The number of benefits in force decreased from 2,141 as at the 31st March, 1948, to 2,026 as at the 31st March, 1949, and the expenditure for the year was £251,409, as against £227,857 for the previous year, an increase of £23,552. FINANCE STATEMENT SHOWING THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1949 Receipts Payments Balance as at Ist April Monetary benefits—--1948— £ £ Universal super- £ £ Cash .. .. 1,342,701 annuation .. 1,850,079 Imprest .. .. 899,217 Age .. .. 13,790,971 Investments .. 5,000,000 Widows'.. .. 1,911,134 7,241,918 Orphans' .. 27,623 Social security charge Family .. . . 14,242,202 on wages and other Invalids' .. 1,348,616 income .. .. 29,378,385 Miners' .. .. 113,659 Miscellaneous receipts, Maori War .. 10 interest, penalties, Unemployment .. 8,948 and fines .. 58,651 Sickness .. .. 911,107 29,437,036 Emergency .. 251,409 Recoveries under main- 34,455,758 tenance orders, Medical benefits, &c.— widows'benefits* .. 63,429 Medical benefits .. 2,306,881 Grants from Consolidated Fund, Hospital benefits .. 1,997,375 vote, "Social Security" (Social Maternity benefits.. 916,120 Security Act, 1938, section 105(c)) 15,000,000 Pharmaceutical benefits .. .. 1,793,159 Supplementary benefits .. .. 861,913 7,875,448 Administration expenses : Social Security Department .. 729,259 Balance at 31st March, 1949 Cash .. .. 533,874 Imprests outstanding 148,044 Investments .. 8,000,000 8,681,918 £51,742,383 £51,742,383

* This item reduces the cost to the Fund on account of widows' benefits by an equivalent amount.

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