3Eligibility for the grant of an allowance

3 Eligibility for the grant of an allowance

(1)  *[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 49 of 1976, s. 2 ]**[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 80 of 1981, s. 3 ]*Subject to subsection (3) of this section, a pensioner is eligible for the grant of an allowance if –

(a) he is responsible for the payment of the cost of fuel or electricity used for providing heat in the house, flat, or room where he lives;

(b) his spouse (if any) is a pensioner and each other person who lives with him is either a pensioner or a child who is wholly dependent on him;

(c) the income of –

(i) the pensioner;

(ii) his spouse (if any); or

(iii) any other person referred to in paragraph (b) of this subsection –

does not exceed $10 a week; and

(d) the liquid assets of –

(i) the pensioner do not exceed $1 750;

(ii) the pensioner and his spouse do not exceed in total $2 750; or

(iii) any other person referred to in paragraph (b) do not exceed $1 750.

(2)  For the purposes of paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section, income does not include –

(a) such a pension, annuity, or allowance as is referred to in paragraph (a) , or paragraph (b) , or paragraph (c) of the definition of pensioner in subsection (1) of section two; or

(b) any sums paid to a person by way of child endowment under Part VI of the Social Services Act 1947-1970 of the Commonwealth.

(3)  *[Section 3 Subsection (3) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ]*Notwithstanding of of this section, where the Minister is satisfied, on the report of the Secretary of the Department, that –