TNAG-0788-FCO40-992-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 131

problems. Pensioners who need help or advice should apply to the war pensions office or local social security office.

The Department of Health and Social Security in England, the Scottish Home and Health Department in Scotland and the Welsh Office in Wales are responsible for providing medical treatment for a pensioner's disablement and for the supply of artificial limbs, surgical appliances and invalid vehicles. A pensioner who needs medical treatment for his pensioned disablement should consult his doctor. If hospital treatment is required, he should make sure that the doctor and the hospital know that he is a war pensioner so that he can get the benefit of the priority arrangements for war disablement pensioners.

If because of the treatment a pensioner is prevented from working, or incurs expenses he should let the war pensions office or local social security office know without delay so that his eligibility for allowances may be considered. War disablement pensioners not otherwise exempt from payment of NHS charges for prescriptions, are exempt from charges for prescriptions required for their accepted war disablement.

Widow's benefits

Widow's allowance is generally payable for the first 26 weeks of widowhood. Payment of widows' benefits after this initial period depends on individual circumstances such as family responsibilities and age. Only the late husband's contributions count for widow's benefit.

From April 1979 widows' benefits will be earnings-related-see Part 4 on page 39.

Widow's allowance

Widow's allowance is paid for the 26 weeks following the death of the husband. If a woman of 60 or over is widowed she can only get the allowance if her husband was not entitled to a retirement pension.

Amount payable

The weekly rate is £24.50.

Increases payable weekly for qualifying children are:

first child

£7.40; and £6·10 for each child from April 1978 £6.90

when child benefit is increased.

each other child Earnings-related addition can be paid with widow's allowance where the husband (not the widow) had an earnings factor more than 50 times the lower earnings limit for the income tax year relevant to her claim. The addition is calculated in the same way as earnings-related supplement—see page 9. The limitation to 85 per cent of reckonable weekly earnings does. not apply to the addition.

Widow's allowance is taxable.

Widowed mother's allowance

Widowed mother's allowance is generally payable to a widow with a qualifying child when widow's allowance ends.

Amount payable

The weekly rate is £17.50.

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