Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1961

Public bill · Government · Introduced

From 1 August 1961, payments for non-contributory old-age, blind and widows’ pensions, unemployment assistance, and married people’s allowances in contributory old-age pensions would increase. More unemployed people could qualify: the income limit would become £100 a year nationwide, and more income would be ignored when calculating payments. Widows’ and orphans’ pensions would also have more generous income and residence rules, including faster access for some widows returning to Ireland. The measure would also strengthen action against fraud and overpayments, allowing money to be recovered from future payments and temporarily disqualifying people convicted of unemployment-benefit fraud.

Last updated 10 June 2020