47 -
(ii) Old Age Allowance and Disability Allowances
118.
In addition to payments under the Public Assistance Scheme which
are means tested, there are those under the Infirmity and Disability
Allowance schemes which are not. And I dc suggest it is time we stopped
:
calling the elderly 'infirm' and that the Infirmity Allowance should be
renamed 'Old Age Allowance'.
119.
This system of payments, based on a condition of vulnerability,
has been re-examined and is considered to have been both successful and
acceptable to the public. But in the light of 5 years of operation the
following changes are proposed:
First that the qualifying age for Old Age Allowance should be reduced
from 75 to 70. Some might have wished the age to be lowered further.
But it must be remembered that the allowance is paid to all regardless
of their financial position, and that, as now proposed, those between
60 and 70 in genuine need will be helped through a supplement to
Public Assistance.
Secondly it is proposed that the Old Age and Disability Allowances
should be extended to those living in institutions, re has been
strongly recommended in this Council.
Thirdly an allowance should be paid to those who may not qualify
for Disability Allowance, but through illness or infirmity have
been unable to work for a long period - the period proposed is 18
months. There are many such people who suffer hardship although
the means of their family renders them ineligible for Public
Assistance, and I think that some help for them would have the
support of the community.
...
Expansion