Social Security Amendment Act
Social Security Amendment Act
Social Security Amendment Act
Social Security Amendment Act
Public Act |
1979 No 14 |
|
Date of assent |
24 August 1979 |
|
Contents
An Act to amend the Social Security Act 1964
BE IT ENACTED by the General Assembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
1 Short Title
This Act may be cited as the Social Security Amendment Act 1979, and shall be read together with and deemed part of the Social Security Act 1964 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act).
Part I Monetary Benefits
2 Interpretation
(1)
Section 3(1) of the principal Act is hereby amended by inserting, after the definition of the term “applicant”
, the following definition:
“‘Application’ means an application for a benefit; and includes an application, or a signed declaration or statement indicating eligibility, for the renewal of a benefit:”.
(2)
The said section 3(1) is hereby further amended by omitting from paragraph (b) of the definition of the term “benefit”
(as substituted by section 2(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1978) the words “An additional amount”
, and substituting the words “A child supplement”
.
(3)
Subsection (2) of this section shall be deemed to have come into force on the 25th day of July 1979.
3 Investigation of claims and grant of benefits
(1)
Section 12 of the principal Act is hereby amended by inserting, after subsection (1), the following subsection:
“(1a)
The Commission or any officer of the Department acting with the authority of the Commission may investigate the circumstances of any person who has been in receipt of a benefit as those circumstances existed immediately before the benefit was granted or during the period that the benefit was paid.”
(2)
Section 12(2) of the principal Act is hereby amended—
(a)
By inserting, after the word “person”
where it first occurs, the words “(including the applicant)”
:
(b)
By inserting, after the word “benefit”
where it first occurs, the words “or any person who is or has been in receipt of a benefit”
.
4 Rates of national superannuation
(1)
Section 15(1) of the principal Act (as inserted by section 4(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1976) is hereby amended by repealing paragraph (a), and substituting the following paragraph:
“(a)
In the case of a married couple both of whom are entitled to receive national superannuation, a sum that will produce for each of them an amount which, after tax is deducted at the ordinary rate for a single person without dependants, is equal to half the amount that is 80 percent of the sum that would be paid to a married person, after tax is deducted at the ordinary rate for a married person without dependants, if he were paid at the rate of the average ordinary time weekly wage as disclosed by the latest half-yearly survey of salaries and wages conducted by the Department of Labour before the issue of the Order in Council:”.
(2)
This section shall come into force on the 28th day of August 1979.
5 Special provisions as to maintenance
(1)
Section 27f(2) of the principal Act (as inserted by section 6(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1973 and amended by section 4(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1974) is hereby further amended by omitting the words “from her husband or his wife (as the case may be), or her former husband or his former wife (as the case may be), or the father of her child or the mother of his child (as the case may be),”
.
(2)
Section 27f(3) of the principal Act (as so inserted) is hereby amended by adding the words “or the establishment of the paternity of any child of the beneficiary”
.
(3)
Section 4(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1974 is hereby consequentially repealed.
6 Rates of unemployment benefit
(1)
Section 59(2) of the principal Act is hereby amended by omitting the word “wife”
, and substituting the word “spouse”
.
(2)
This section shall come into force on the 1st day of October 1979.
7 Child supplement
(1)
The principal Act is hereby further amended by omitting the heading “Additional Benefit for Dependent Children”
and repealing section 61a (as substituted by section 19 of the Social Security Amendment Act 1972), and substituting the following heading and section:
“Child Supplement
“61a Child supplement
Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, if a beneficiary is—
“(a)
Caring for a child or children to the satisfaction of the Commission; and
“(b)
Unable, because of age, disablement, domestic circumstances, or any other reason, to adequately support and maintain himself or herself, as the case may be, and his wife or her husband (if any), and every child being maintained as a member of his or her family—
the Commission may, in its discretion, increase a widow’s, domestic purposes, invalid’s, sickness, unemployment, or emergency benefit by a child supplement at such rate as the Commission determines, being not more than the appropriate amount specified in the Fourteenth Schedule to this Act.”
(2)
The following enactments are hereby consequentially repealed:
(a)
Section 19 of the Social Security Amendment Act 1972:
(b)
Section 8 of the Social Security Amendment Act 1973:
(c)
Section 14 of the Social Security Amendment Act 1978.
(3)
This section shall be deemed to have come into force on the 25th day of July 1979.
8 Special provisions in respect of child supplements
(1)
The principal Act is hereby further amended by repealing section 61b (as substituted by section 9(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1973), and substituting the following section:
“61b
(1)
In this section, the term ‘beneficiary’ means an applicant for a benefit who has a dependent child or children or a person to whom a benefit (which includes a child supplement) has been granted.
“(2)
The Commission may decline to grant or may discontinue payment of the child supplement until such time as the beneficiary takes proceedings for a maintenance order in respect of any child or children of the beneficiary.
“(3)
The provisions of section 27f of this Act shall, with the necessary modifications, apply to every beneficiary as if the child supplement were a benefit granted under section 27b of this Act.”
(2)
This section shall be deemed to have come into force on the 25th day of July 1979.
9 Additional benefit
Section 61e of the principal Act (as inserted by section 10(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1975) is hereby amended by inserting, after paragraph (a), the following paragraph:
“(aa)
National superannuation; or”.
10 Effect of absence of beneficiary from New Zealand
(1)
Section 77 of the principal Act is hereby amended by repealing subsection (1), and substituting the following subsections:
“(1)
A benefit shall not be paid to any person while he is absent from New Zealand unless his absence is for 13 weeks or less:
“Provided that the Commission may pay the benefit for a period of 13 weeks if the beneficiary’s absence has been for more than 13 weeks but less than 15 weeks, and his absence for more than 13 weeks was due to circumstances beyond his control.
“(1a)
Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) of this section, the Commission may determine, in the circumstances of any particular case, that a sickness, unemployment, or emergency benefit shall not be paid while the beneficiary is absent from New Zealand, notwithstanding that the period of absence is for 13 weeks or less.
“(1b)
Before a beneficiary leaves New Zealand intending to be absent for more than 13 weeks, he shall inform an officer of the Department of his proposed absence from New Zealand and of such other details as may be reasonably required by the Commission to determine his eligibility for payment of a benefit during that absence under the provisions of this section.”
(2)
Section 77(2)(b) of the principal Act is hereby amended by inserting, after the word “vocational”
, the words “or guide-dog”
.
(3)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, if a beneficiary was temporarily absent from New Zealand on or before the 31st day of July 1979, the amount of benefit (if any) payable on his return to New Zealand in respect of that period of absence may be determined as if that subsection had not been enacted.
(4)
This section shall be deemed to have come into force on the 1st day of August 1979.
11 Advance payment of benefits
Section 82 of the principal Act (as substituted by section 23(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1978) is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:
“(6)
If it is satisfied that an advance payment of a benefit would best meet the immediate needs of a beneficiary, the Commission may in its discretion, on application by the beneficiary, make payment in advance of any number of instalments of the benefit, or part of it, not yet due, and recover the amount so paid in advance from subsequent instalments of the benefit at such rate as it determines from time to time.”
12 Increasing rates of benefits in respect of period 10 January 1979 to 24 July 1979
(1)
In respect of the period commencing on the 10th day of January 1979 and ending with the 24th day of July 1979, the principal Act shall have effect as if each provision of that Act specified in the first column of the First Schedule to this Act had been amended by omitting every expression set out in the second column of that Schedule opposite the reference to that provision, wherever that expression occurs, and substituting in each case the expression set out opposite to it in the third column of that Schedule.
(2)
This section and the First Schedule to this Act shall be deemed to have come into force on the 10th day of January 1979.
13 Increasing rates of benefits and child supplements on and after 25 July 1979
(1)
The principal Act is hereby further amended by repealing the Third to Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Fourteenth to Eighteenth Schedules (as substituted by section 30(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1978), the Sixth and Eighth Schedules (as substituted by section 31(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1978), and the Nineteenth Schedule (as substituted by section 9(2) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1978), and substituting the Third to Tenth, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, and Nineteenth Schedules set out in the Second Schedule to this Act.
(2)
Sections 9(2) and 27 to 33 of, and the First to Fifth Schedules to, the Social Security Amendment Act 1978 are hereby consequentially repealed.
(3)
This section and the Second Schedule to this Act shall be deemed to have come into force on the 25th day of July 1979.
(4)
In respect of the period commencing on the 25th day of July 1979 and ending with the day before the date on which this Act receives the Governor-General’s assent, the Eighteenth Schedule to the principal Act (as substituted by section 30(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 1978) shall be deemed to have continued in force notwithstanding its repeal by subsection (1) of this section.
14 Rates of additional benefit
(1)
The principal Act is hereby further amended by inserting, after the Seventeenth Schedule (as substituted by section 13(1) of this Act), the Eighteenth Schedule set out in the Third Schedule to this Act.
(2)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, if any person was, immediately before the commencement of this section, in receipt of an additional benefit under section 61e of the principal Act, the Commission may, in its discretion, continue to assess such a benefit as if this section had not been enacted.
(3)
Any additional benefit continued under subsection (2) of this section shall be reassessed in accordance with the provisions of the Eighteenth Schedule to the principal Act (as inserted by subsection (1) of this section) from the date such benefit is first renewed under section 80(4) of the principal Act or is first reviewed under section 81(1) of that Act, whichever is sooner.
15 Rates of unemployment benefit for married women
(1)
The Ninth Schedule to the principal Act (as substituted by section 13(1) of this Act) is hereby amended—
(a)
By omitting from clause 1(c) the word “male”
:
(b)
By omitting from clause 1(c) the words “his wife”
, and substituting the words “his or her spouse”
:
(c)
By repealing clause 1(d).
(2)
This section shall come into force on the 1st day of October 1979.
16 Increasing rate of family benefit
(1)
The Fifth Schedule to the principal Act (as substituted by section 13(1) of this Act) is hereby amended by omitting the expression “$3”
, and substituting the expression “$6”
.
(2)
This section shall come into force on the 17th day of October 1979.
17 Amending Family Benefits (Home Ownership) Act 1964
(1)
Section 15(1) of the Family Benefits (Home Ownership) Act 1964 is hereby amended by repealing paragraph (a), and substituting the following paragraph:
“(a)
In the case of advances—
“(i)
Approved before the 2nd day of June 1978, be reduced by an amount not exceeding $1.50 a week:
“(ii)
Approved on or after the 2nd day of June 1978 but before the 17th day of October 1979, cease to be payable to the beneficiary:
“(iii)
Approved on or after the 17th day of October 1979, be reduced by an amount not exceeding $3 a week—
and shall continue to be so reduced or not payable, as the case may be, until the child in respect of of whom the benefit is payable attains the age in respect of which the capitalised value of the benefit was calculated for the purposes of the advance. On the attainment of that age by the child, the advance, to the extent to which it was made in respect of that benefit, shall be deemed to have been repaid:”.
(2)
Section 3 of the Family Benefits (Home Ownership) Amendment Act 1978 is hereby consequentially repealed.
(3)
This section shall come into force on the 17th day of October 1979.
Part II Medical and Hospital Benefits and Other Related Benefits
18 Travelling fees
(1)
Section 94(3) of the principal Act is hereby amended by omitting the word “mileage”
in both places where it occurs, and substituting in each case the word “travelling”
.
(2)
Section 94(4) of the principal Act is hereby amended by omitting the word “mileage”
, and substituting the word “travelling”
.
19 Accounts for treatment to show gross amount, etc.
The principal Act is hereby further amended by inserting, after section 102, the following section:
“102a
Where an amount has been paid under section 102 or section 118 of this Act in partial satisfaction of any claim in respect of any hospital treatment received by any person, the licensee or other person entitled to claim payment in respect of that treatment shall show on every account given or sent to any person in respect of that treatment the gross amount of the fee charged and the amount paid or payable under the said section 102 or the said section 118, as the case may be.”
SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE Amendments to Principal Act Increasing Rates of Benefits in Respect of Period 10 January 1979 to 24 July 1979
Section 12(1)
| Provisions Amended | Expressions Omitted | Expressions Substituted |
|---|---|---|
| $ | $ | |
| Third Schedule | ||
| Clause 1 | 2,411.24 | 2,536.04 |
| Clause 2 | 2,411.24 | 2,536.04 |
| Fourth Schedule | 1,198.60 | 1,258.40 |
| Sixth Schedule— | ||
| Clause 1(a) | 1,835.60 | 1,929.20 |
| Clause 1(b) | 2,411.24 | 2,536.04 |
| Clause 1(c) | 2,009.28 | 2,113.28 |
| Clause 1(d) | 2,009.28 | 2,113.28 |
| Clause 1(e) | 2,009.28 | 2,113.28 |
| Clause 2 | 3,621.28 | 3,725.28 |
| 401.96 | 422.76 | |
| Seventh Schedule— | ||
| Clause 1(a) | 2,009.28 | 2,113.28 |
| Clause 1(b) | 2,411.24 | 2,536.04 |
| Clause 2 | 2,328.04 | 2,452.84 |
| Eighth Schedule— | ||
| Clause 1(a) | 35.30 | 37.10 |
| Clause 1(b) | 46.37 | 48.77 |
| Clause 1(c) | 38.64 | 40.64 |
| Clause 1(d) | 38.64 | 40.64 |
| Clause 1(e) | 38.64 | 40.64 |
| Clause 1(f) | 38.64 | 40.64 |
| Clause 2 | 30.91 | 32.51 |
| Ninth Schedule— | ||
| Clause 1(a) | 35.30 | 37.10 |
| Clause 1(b) | 46.37 | 48.77 |
| Clause 1(c) | 38.64 | 40.64 |
| Clause 1(d) | 38.64 | 40.64 |
| Clause 2 | 30.91 | 32.51 |
| Fourteenth Schedule— | ||
| Clause 1(a)(i) | 1,451.32 | 1,534.52 |
| Clause 2(a)(i) | 27.91 | 29.51 |
| Sixteenth Schedule— | ||
| Clause 1 | 2,411.24 | 2,536.04 |
| Clause 2 | 2,411.24 | 2,536.04 |
| Seventeenth Schedule— | ||
| Clause 1 | 1,835.60 | 1,929.20 |
| Clause 2 | 2,411.24 | 2,536.04 |
| Clause 3 | 2,009.28 | 2,113.28 |
| Clause 4 | 2.009.28 | 2,113.28 |
SECOND SCHEDULE New Third to Tenth, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, and Nineteenth Schedules to Principal Act (Effective on and after 25 July 1979)
Section 13(1)
“THIRD SCHEDULE Rates of Widow’s Benefits
Section 21, 24
| 1. To a beneficiary without dependent children | $2,710.76 a year, diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of her total annual income in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| 2. To a beneficiary with 1 or more dependent children | $2,710.76 a year, increased, in the discretion of the Commission, by a child supplement not exceeding the appropriate amount specified in the Fourteenth Schedule to this Act, and diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of her total annual income in excess of $2,080 a year: |
| Provided that in computing for the purposes of this clause the income of a widow, the Commission may, in its discretion, disregard as income some or all of that part of her personal earnings (not exceeding $20 a week) used to meet the cost of placing a dependent child or children of the beneficiary in a day care centre registered under the Child Care Centre Regulations 1960, or in any other day care facility approved by the Commission for the purpose. |
“FOURTH SCHEDULE Maximum Rates of Orphan’s Benefits
Section 29
| In every case | $1,344.20 a year, diminished by $3 for every complete $4 of the total annual income of the orphan in excess of $260 a year. |
“FIFTH SCHEDULE Rates of Family Benefits
Section 34
| In respect of each child | $3 a week. |
“SIXTH SCHEDULE Rates of Invalids’ Benefits
Section 42, 43
| 1. (a) To an unmarried beneficiary under the age of 18 years | $2,062.32 a year, diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| (b) To any other unmarried beneficiary | $2,710.76 a year, diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| (c) To a married beneficiary whose spouse is granted, in his or her own right, a benefit (other than national superannuation) under Part I of this Act, or an economic pension, war veteran’s allowance, or war service pension under the War Pensions Act 1954 | $2,258.88 a year, diminished by 20c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary and his or her spouse in excess of $1,300 a year, but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 40c for every complete $1 of such income in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| (d) To a married beneficiary whose spouse is not granted, in his or her own right, a benefit under Part I of this Act, or an economic pension, war veteran’s allowance, or war service pension under the War Pensions Act 1954 | $2,258.88 a year, increased by $2,258.88 a year in respect of his or her spouse, the total rate to be diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary and his or her spouse in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of such income in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| (e) To a married beneficiary whose spouse is granted, in his or her own right, national superannuation under Part I of this Act | $2,258.88 a year, diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary and his or her spouse in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of such income in excess of $2,080 a year: |
Provided that if the beneficiary has the care of a dependent child or children, the rate of benefit specified in this Schedule may, in the discretion of the Commission, be increased by a child supplement not exceeding the appropriate rate specified in the Fourteenth Schedule to this Act:
Provided also that, in computing for the purposes of this clause the income of any totally blind person, the Commission shall take no account of the personal earnings of that person:
Provided further that the rates specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this clause shall be reduced by the amount of any family benefit payable under Part I of this Act in respect of the beneficiary.
| 2. Maximum amount from all sources where subsidy paid on earnings of blind invalid, in every case | $3,870.88 a year, increased by $451.88 a year if the beneficiary is an unmarried person. |
“SEVENTH SCHEDULE Rates of Miners’ Benefits and Miners’ Widows’ Benefits
Section 49, 53
| 1. (a) To a married miner | $2,258.88 a year, increased by $2,258.88 a year in respect of his wife. |
| (b) In any other case. | $2,710.76 a year. |
| 2. To a miner’s widow | $2,627.56 a year. |
“EIGHTH SCHEDULE Rates of Sickness Benefits
Section 54a(3), 55
| 1. (a) To an unmarried beneficiary under the age of 18 years without dependants | $39.66 a week, diminished by 8c for every complete 20c of the total weekly income of the beneficiary in excess of $25 a week but not in excess of $40 a week, and by 16c for every complete 20c of the total weekly income of the beneficiary in excess of $40 a week. |
| (b) To any other unmarried beneficiary | $52.13 a week, diminished by 8c for every complete 20c of the total weekly income of the beneficiary in excess of $25 a week but not in excess of $40 a week, and by 16c for every complete 20c of the total weekly income of the beneficiary in excess of $40 a week. |
| (c) To a married beneficiary whose spouse is granted, in his or her own right, a benefit (other than national superannuation) under Part I of this Act, or an economic pension, war veteran’s allowance, or war service pension under the War Pensions Act 1954 | $43.44 a week, diminished by 4c for every complete 20c of the total weekly income of the beneficiary and his or her spouse in excess of $25 a week but not in excess of $40 a week, and by 8c for every complete 20c of such income in excess of $40 a week. |
| (d) To a married beneficiary whose spouse is not granted, in his or her own right, a benefit under Part I of this Act, or an economic pension, war veteran’s allowance, or war service pension under the War Pensions Act 1954 | $43.44 a week, increased by $43.44 a week in respect of his or her spouse, the total rate to be diminished by 8c for every complete 20c of the total weekly income of the beneficiary and his or her spouse in excess of $25 a week but not in excess of $40 a week, and by 16c for every complete 20c of such income in excess of $40 a week. |
| (e) To a married beneficiary whose spouse is granted, in his or her own right, national superannuation under Part I of this Act | $43.44 a week, diminished by 8c for every complete 20c of the total weekly income of the beneficiary and his or her spouse in excess of $25 a week but not in excess of $40 a week, and by 16c for every complete 20c of such income in excess of $40 a week. |
| (f) To a married person under section 54a | $43.44 a week, diminished by 8c for every complete 20c of the total weekly income of the beneficiary in excess of $25 a week but not in excess of $40 a week, and by 16c for every complete 20c of such income in excess of $40 a week: |
Provided that for the purposes of paragraphs (a) to (e) of this clause, if the beneficiary has the care of a dependent child or children, the rate of benefit specified in this Schedule may, in the discretion of the Commission, be increased by a child supplement not exceeding the appropriate rate specified in the Fourteenth Schedule to this Act.
Provided also that the rates specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this clause shall be reduced by the amount of any family benefit payable under Part I of this Act in respect of the beneficiary.
| 2. Maximum increase in respect of a housekeeper | $34.75 a week. |
“NINTH SCHEDULE Maximum Rates of Unemployment Benefits
Section 59
| 1. (a) To an unmarried beneficiary under the age of 20 years without dependants | $39.66 a week. |
| (b) To any other unmarried beneficiary | $52.13 a week. |
| (c) To a married male beneficiary | $43.44 a week, increased by $43.44 a week in respect of his wife. |
| (d) To a married female beneficiary | $43.44 a week. |
| 2. Maximum increase in respect of a housekeeper | $34.75 a week: |
Provided that, if the beneficiary has the care of a dependent child or children, the rate of benefit specified in this Schedule may, in the discretion of the Commission, be increased by a child supplement not exceeding the appropriate rate specified in the Fourteenth Schedule to this Act.
“TENTH SCHEDULE Special Income Exemption in Respect of Sick Benefits From Friendly or Like Society (National Superannuation Payable Under Section 16 of this Act, Invalids’, Widows’, Domestic Purposes, and Sickness Benefits Only)
Section 66
| Maximum rate | $2 a week in the case of a sickness benefit, and $104 a year in any other case. |
“TWELFTH SCHEDULE Maximum Increase in Rate of Benefit Payable to Parent of Deceased Member of Forces or Mercantile Marine
Section 69
| Maximum rate | $1 a week. |
“FOURTEENTH SCHEDULE Child Supplements
Section 61a
| 1. To any person receiving an emergency benefit payable otherwise than by weekly instalments, or a widow’s, domestic purposes, or invalid’s benefit— | |
| (a) At the rate payable to an unmarried beneficiary— | |
| (i) On account of first or only dependent child | $1,495 a year. |
| (ii) On account of each additional dependent child after the first | $208 a year. |
| (b) At the rate payable to a married beneficiary on account of each dependent child | $208 a year. |
| 2. To any person receiving an emergency benefit payable by weekly instalments, or a sickness or unemployment benefit— | |
| (a) At the rate payable to an unmarried beneficiary— | |
| (i) On account of first or only dependent child | $28.75 a week. |
| (ii) On account of each additional dependent child after the first | $4 a week. |
| (b) At the rate payable to a married beneficiary—on account of each dependent child | $4 a week. |
“SIXTEENTH SCHEDULE Rates of Domestic Purposes Benefits
Section 27b, 27c, 27h
| 1. To a beneficiary without dependent children | $2,710.76 a year, diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| 2. To a beneficiary with 1 or more dependent children | $2,710.76 a year, increased, in the discretion of the Commission, by a child supplement not exceeding the appropriate amount specified in the Fourteenth Schedule to this Act, and diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $2,080 a year: |
| Provided that in computing for the purposes of this clause the income of a solo parent the Commission may, in its discretion, disregard as income some or all of that part of his or her personal earnings (not exceeding $20 a week) used to meet the cost of placing a dependent child or children of the beneficiary in a day care centre registered under the Child Care Centre Regulations 1960, or in any other day care facility approved by the Commission for the purpose. |
“SEVENTEENTH SCHEDULE Rates of Domestic Purposes Benefits
Section 27g, 27h
| 1. To an unmarried beneficiary under the age of 18 years | $2,062.32 a year, diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| 2. To any other unmarried beneficiary | $2,710.76 a year, diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| 3. To a married beneficiary whose wife or husband is granted, in her or his own right, a benefit (other than national superannuation) under Part I of this Act, or an economic pension, war veteran’s allowance, or war service pension under the War Pensions Act 1954 | $2,258.88 a year, diminished by 20c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary and his or her spouse in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 40c for every complete $1 of such income in excess of $2,080 a year. |
| 4. To any other married beneficiary | $2,258.88 a year, diminished by 40c for every complete $1 of the total annual income of the beneficiary and the spouse of the beneficiary in excess of $1,300 a year but not in excess of $2,080 a year, and by 80c for every complete $1 of such income in excess of $2,080 a year: |
| Provided that, if the spouse of the beneficiary is not in receipt of national superannuation under Part I of this Act, the rate of the domestic purposes benefit payable to the beneficiary shall not be less than the aggregate of the rates of domestic purposes benefits that would be payable if the beneficiary and the spouse of the beneficiary were both entitled to receive a domestic purposes benefit, but the rate of benefit payable hereunder shall not exceed $2,258.88 a year. |
“NINETEENTH SCHEDULE Rates of Handicapped Child’s Allowance Payable in Respect of a Seriously Handicapped Child and Disability Allowance Payable to a Disabled Person
Section 39a, 69c
| 1. Rate of handicapped child’s allowance | $8 a week |
| 2. Maximum rate of disability allowance | $8 a week.” |
THIRD SCHEDULE NEW EIGHTEENTH SCHEDULE TO PRINCIPAL ACT
Section 14(1)
“EIGHTEENTH SCHEDULE Rates of Additional Benefit
Section 61e, 61f
| 1. To any unmarried person without a dependent child or children | Two-thirds of the amount (but not exceeding $16 a week) by which the applicant’s weekly rent or weekly outgoings on any property, occupied by him as a home, exceeds $16 a week, or by which his weekly board payments exceed $35 a week, diminished by $1 a week in respect of each complete $1 of the applicant’s weekly income. |
| 2. To any married couple or solo parent with a dependent child or children | Two-thirds of the amount (but not exceeding $16 a week) by which the couple’s or solo parent’s weekly rent or weekly outgoings on any property, occupied by the couple or solo parent as a home, exceeds $16 a week, or by which the couple’s or solo parent’s weekly board payments exceed $58 a week, diminished by $1 a week in respect of each complete $1 of the couple’s or solo parent’s weekly income in excess of $8 a week. |
| 3. For the purposes of clauses 1 and 2 of this Schedule, an applicant’s or couple’s or solo parent’s weekly income shall be deemed to be his or their actual income (other than that derived from cash assets) plus $1 a week for each $100 of his or their cash assets. | |
| 4. In computing for the purposes of this Schedule the income of a solo parent receiving a widow’s or domestic purposes benefit, the Commission may, in its discretion, disregard as income some or all of that part of his or her personal earnings (not exceeding $20 a week) used to meet the cost of placing a dependent child or children of the beneficiary in a day care centre registered under the Child Care Centre Regulations 1960, or in any other day care facility approved by the Commission for the purpose. | |
| 5. After computing, in accordance with this Schedule, the amount of additional benefit payable, that amount may be rounded up to the next complete 50 cents.” |
This Act is administered in the Department of Social Welfare.