Social Welfare Act, 1982

Revised method of calculating certain pensions and allowances.

4.—(1) Sections 161 (2) and 178 (2) of the Principal Act are hereby amended by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (b):

“(b) where such weekly means exceed £6, at the scheduled rate reduced by £2 for each amount (if any) of £2 by which those weekly means exceed £6, any fraction of £2 in those weekly means being treated for this purpose as £2: provided that, if the rate calculated pursuant to this paragraph at which, but for this proviso, the pension would be payable is less than £2, the pension shall not be payable.”.

(2) Section 183 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (b):

“(b) where his weekly means exceed £1, that rate reduced by £2 for each amount (if any) of £2 by which those weekly means exceed £1, any fraction of £2 in those weekly means being treated for this purpose as £2: provided that, if the rate calculated pursuant to this paragraph at which, but for this proviso, the pension would be payable is less than £2, the pension shall not be payable.”.

(3) Section 198 (2) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (b):

“(b) where her weekly means exceed £1, at that rate reduced by £2 for each amount (if any) of £2 by which those weekly means exceed £1, any fraction of £2 in those weekly means being treated for this purpose as £2: provided that, if the rate calculated pursuant to this paragraph at which, but for this proviso, the allowance would be payable is less than £2, the allowance shall not be payable.”.

(4) This section shall come into operation—

(a) in so far as it relates to old age pension, blind pension, widow's (non-contributory) pension and orphan's (non-contributory) pension on the 2nd day of April, 1982, and

(b) in so far as it relates to deserted wife's allowance, prisoner's wife's allowance, social assistance allowance and single woman's allowance, on the 1st day of April, 1982.