§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations 222W her Department has received on behalf of blind people about the Christmas bonus; what replies she was able to give them about the bonus and blind people who may, or may not, qualify for it; and whether there are any categories of blind people who do not qualify for the Christmas bonus.
§ Mrs. CastleA few representations have been received on behalf of individual blind persons, and the replies have varied according to their individual circumstances. Blindness was not of itself a qualifying condition for the £10 payment, but those blind persons who were entitled to one of the qualifying benefits, listed below, during the week commencing 18th November were eligible for the payment.
Qualifying Benefits
- Retirement pension.
- Invalidity pension.
- National insurance widow's benefit.
- War widow's pension.
- Industrial widow's or widower's pension.
- Supplementary pension.
- Attendance allowance.
- Unemployability supplement.
- Constant attendance allowance.
War disablement pension where the pensioner had reached minimum pension age and retired or been treated as retired.
§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements there are for people becoming pensioned after 28th November to qualify for the £10 bonus.
§ Mr. O'MalleyAs in previous years, it was necessary for administrative reasons to link the payment of the bonus to entitlement to a qualifying benefit during a particular week which, this year, was the week beginning 18th November. Persons becoming entitled to one of the qualifying benefits after that week are not, therefore, eligible for the bonus.