Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1920 (Cth)

INVALID AND OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

No. 53 of 1920.

An Act to amend section twenty-four of the Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1908-1919 by increasing the limit of pension and income together in the case of blind pensioners.

[Assented to 2nd December, 1920.]

BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1920.

(2.) The Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1908-1919, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1908-1920.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by proclamation.

Limit of pension.

3. Section twenty-four of the Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1908-1919 is amended by inserting at the end of sub-section (1.) thereof the following provisos:—

“Provided that in the case of a permanently blind person who is qualified under this Act to receive a pension, the amount of pension may be at such a rate (not exceeding thirty-nine pounds per annum) as will make the income of the pensioner and of the pensioner’s wife (or husband), together with the pension, equal to an amount not exceeding two hundred and twenty-one pounds per annum or such other amount as is declared by any Act, or by any authority constituted under an Act, to be a basic wage for the portion of the Commonwealth in which the pensioner resides:

Provided further that the income of the husband or wife of a permanently blind person, where the husband and wife are living apart pursuant to any decree, judgment, order or deed of separation, or where there are special reasons which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, are adequate, shall not be taken into account in assessing the rate of pension payable to the blind person.”