asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that wives separated from their husbands are experiencing difficulties in obtaining from his Department their portion of social welfare benefits being paid to the husbands, as well as the allowances for the children who are residing with the mother, and what measures are being taken to remedy this situation.
Written Answers. - Separated Wives' Welfare Benefits.
371.
A claimant to benefit is entitled to an increase of benefit in respect of his wife if she is living with him or is wholly or mainly maintained by him. If the couple are separated, the claimant is only entitled to the increase for his wife, if he is wholly or mainly maintaining her. Where he is entitled, there is power to pay the increase of benefit for the wife directly to her if the circumstances so warrant.
I am not aware that separated wives are experiencing difficulties in obtaining payments where title can be established. The extra inquiries necessary to establish that the conditions for entitlement are satisfied in the case of separated couples and that payment can be made to the wife may be a source of some delay and misunderstanding. If the Deputy has particulars of any case of difficulty, I will have them examined.
A father's entitlement to an increase of benefit in respect of a qualified child depends on the child being normally resident with him. Normal residence is determined under statutory regulations. If a couple are separated and their child lives with the mother, then under those regulations the child must be regarded as normally resident with her. In those circumstances, an increase of benefit in respect of the child is not payable on the father's benefit claim even though he may be contributing substantially to the support of the child. I am having this aspect of the matter examined to see what changes in the regulations would be warranted.