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Post by bingbong on Jun 21, 2007 20:33:03 GMT 12
Disabled get less for heating
By JOHN HARTEVELT - The Press | Thursday, 21 June 2007
Christchurch beneficiaries face a cold winter because of changes to the way disability allowances are calculated, welfare advocates say.
Work and Income, which is part of the Social Development Ministry, has adjusted the formula used to calculate the power component of the disability allowance.
A Christchurch advocate says the changes are creating serious hardship.
Advocate Warren Smith said a Christchurch man, who wanted to remain anonymous, faced a cut in his allowance from $813 a year to $171.
The man had an annual power bill of $2542, which he struggled to meet even with the help of Work and Income.
Work and Income general manager Patricia Reade said it had standardised the way it assessed disability allowance power payments.
"While doing this we may have inadvertently disadvantaged some Work and Income clients in Southland and Canterbury," she said. "We will be contacting clients that have been affected and ensuring they are not worse off as a result of this. This move was never intended to disadvantage people and we apologise if this has happened."
Smith said the reduced payments amounted to "practically nothing" being available to the man, who was permanently injured in a work accident 20 years ago.
The man, in his 40s, neither drinks nor smokes. He was unsure how he would pay his power bill this winter.
"How could that be assisting people in the current climate where power bills are going up?" Smith said. "They've already recognised his hardship and now they've polluted the process by changing the way they assess for power. It's totally offensive in light of the Government's claimed concern for lower-income people paying their power bills."
Smith said the changes "induced structural poverty" and were "cruel".
National Party welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins said the cuts were "mystifying".
"Electricity is a basic necessity. For most people with a disability, electricity is a major expense. I am calling on the minister to explain."
Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope said he was "disappointed to learn" of the case.
"I have been assured that the ministry is taking all possible steps to remedy the situation by contacting those affected," he said.
The cuts come amid outrage over the case of Auckland woman Folole Muliaga.
Muliaga died on May 29 after a Mercury Energy contractor disconnected power to her home because of an unpaid bill.
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Post by kokonutwoman on Jun 22, 2007 10:18:11 GMT 12
Not quite sure what's going on with MSD and their policies and procedures in terms of benefit cuts. I am aware they went under restructuring last year for the betterment of their clients and smoother operations however I have heard a lot of complaints from beneficiaries especially those who have been cut.
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Post by Lux on Jun 22, 2007 23:21:33 GMT 12
Bunch of ahols, stupid policies which set folks up to fail and kick them in the arse when down.
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Post by sparrow on Jun 22, 2007 23:33:34 GMT 12
Not good. Not good at all. You would think the Government would be all over this given the death of Mrs Muliaga. I hate to think of the elderly and vulnerable freezing to death in this country because they can't afford power. It brings out the "grrrrrr" response!
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Post by caz23 on Jun 23, 2007 11:01:11 GMT 12
Did anyone actually read the article?
It seems that reducing the allowance was not intended, and that winz are contacting all those affected to ensure they are not disadvantaged.
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Post by bingbong on Jun 23, 2007 12:09:48 GMT 12
[Did anyone actually read the article?  It seems that reducing the allowance was not intended, and that winz are contacting all those affected to ensure they are not disadvantaged.]
YES did read and can read between the lines. Just because WINZ makes an explanation doesn't mean it is correct. It has been cutting and reformatting allowances all over the place. Like recently abolishing the Special Benefit and it was replaced with something, called NOTHING.
The WINZ comment I would not of taken that at face value. The Department doesn't have a good or a great reputation. |
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Post by caz23 on Jun 23, 2007 13:17:57 GMT 12
It is entirely possible, that there is nothing written between the lines.  |
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Post by bingbong on Jun 23, 2007 13:28:50 GMT 12
Caz23. I prefer to stand with the people rather than being a defender of WINZ.
It is big and ugly enough to look after itself.
A professional best practice focused statutory organistion that wields great powers should have self auditing processes so people are not harmed. Its focus is meant to be welfare.
Sorry I am unavailable to make i love WINZ badges either. ;D
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Post by Lux on Jun 23, 2007 14:01:25 GMT 12
Come on bingbong they made a mistake... I'm sure they'll put it right, throw out a 100,000 dollar 6 week project contract to get an 'expert' to figure out the figures and bobs your uncle the problem will be ten fold by this time next year  ..oh don't you worry about the poor project manager, I'm sure all visa bills and travel expensives will be paid acccordingly kindly donated by you and I, the taxpayers. |
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Post by caz23 on Jun 23, 2007 16:27:53 GMT 12
Stand with the people?
The ones in line with their hand out?
haha.
;D
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Post by Lux on Jun 23, 2007 16:52:46 GMT 12
Did you actually read the article Caz?
I suspect those standing in line would be Government officials catching a plane to their next weekend retreat...oops I mean... Social development conference.
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Post by bingbong on Jun 23, 2007 18:54:50 GMT 12
re Caz23 your comment [Stand with the people? The ones in line with their hand out? haha.]
Caz23 there is no attraction to welfare it is not a choice. I am glad that my taxes support people to receive some assistance. I don't want a society where we don't support the elderly, children and people in need i don't support seeing people in the gutter.
You have shown your colours.
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Post by caz23 on Jun 23, 2007 20:49:22 GMT 12
My colours?
Lol. Is that like the bloods and the crips?
Sorry BB, no offense was intended, and it was purely an off the cuff remark. I do agree with you, I don't want a society where we don't support the elderly, children and people in need either.
There are of course genuine people in need who need welfare assistance.
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Post by bingbong on Jun 23, 2007 21:22:09 GMT 12
Re caz23 Glad to see you have had a change of heart . I hope it is not of a temporary nature due to either
a) you have just been unjustified dismissed from your job and need welfare.
b) cant be bothered to work anymore so need welfare [is a stand down though]
c) you have had your tongue cut out due to having a forked tongue and can no longer articulate in your current job at the winz call center. [so need welfare.]
d) you are due to give birth and your boyfriend has dumped you with no income support due your constant sniping gutter mouth and he realises he isn't the Father to the child and no longer wants to support out of a kind heart. [ so need welfare]
e) You have just eaten 9 kg's of chocolate so have sweeten up so have a temporally improved attitude. [ a problem caused by too much acid at conception.
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Post by caz23 on Jun 23, 2007 21:50:19 GMT 12
LMMFAO! Interesting how you just castigated a whole bunch of unfortunates, ie: a) dole bludgers, b) lazy dole bludgers, c) sickness beneficiary's, d) soon to be DPB bludgers, and e) well, that must be pure fantasy. I can only do 5 kg's of chocolate at any one time. hehe. I hope you take this post with the grain of salt it came with... |
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Post by bingbong on Jun 23, 2007 22:00:26 GMT 12
BINGBONG  |
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Post by maire on Jun 24, 2007 9:20:18 GMT 12
My 2 cents worth ....... I'm leaning towards this was a genuine apology and will be put right. The reason being, I always try and think the best of people, organisations, government departments even I do wonder also, how is it some beneficaries and or pensioners can live quite comfortably on the benefit/Super and others struggle. My late mum never had a problem, but she was not a big spender on "fripperies" as she would refer to them. Eg weekly hairdresser appointments, new clothes every season, cigarettes, alcohol etc etc. She was a budgeter[sp] from way back, so I guess she knew what a lot of others don't and that is how to manage money. |
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Post by bingbong on Jun 24, 2007 12:34:20 GMT 12
re Marie and comment is sending me around the twist ie
["I do wonder also, how is it some beneficaries and or pensioners can live quite comfortably on the benefit/Super and others struggle.
My late mum never had a problem, but she was not a big spender on "fripperies" as she would refer to them. Eg weekly hairdresser appointments, new clothes every season, cigarettes, alcohol etc etc."]
That is wonderful for her that she was able to survive on benefit and Super.
What has affected the benefit structure is cuts that first started occurring from the Nasty National Government in 1990 when core benefits were slashed.
Cuts in associated allowances. No adjustment in the accommodation allowance. High cost of accommodation.
Government structural changes where people with children can no long use the family benefit a universal benefit [now doesn't exists] to get a deposit on their first home. Many low income people accessed that. Abolishing the Maori Affairs Department for people to obtain loans for mortgages, wasn't replaced with anything.
So it is like being pecked to piece by ducks first a piece here and there and then you find there is nothing. The sublties of the assassination of welfare entitlements erodes and can be difficult to detect.
There have been many legislative changes that were design to put this country on a market rate footing like the Labour Government of the 1980's and its Residential Tenancies Act 1986 that changed the definition of rent from a fair rent to a market rent.
Mortgages and high rents and lack of home ownership have destroyed many generations of people in obtain affordable housing. Housing isnt an expense that you can avoid, unless you wish to live under a tree.
People's budgets can be easily thrown due to a washing machine repair the car breaking down etc.
I am glad your Mum was happy in her life on a benefit. I wouldnt use that as a measure for everyone else.
Sorry if you think people on low income and benefits are being mean needing assistance to survive.
I don't wish to hurt your ego but when you said
["I'm leaning towards this was a genuine
apology and will be put right. The reason being, I always try and think the best of people, organisations, government departments even ;]
No the apology was because the Department was caught out. It doesnt do genuine it only does apologies. Pollyanna always thought the best of people too and there comes a time when you are aware of the politics of the past and the situations of the present where the critique neurons should kick in. Departments harm often we have seen that in the recent Police Commission of inquirey etc.
WAKE UP.
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Post by maire on Jun 24, 2007 17:08:46 GMT 12
My mother owned her own home. Her and dad worked hard to buy that home. She had the costs of rates, insurances & upkeep on the house, on top of washing machine repairs etc.
The only benefit she had ever been on was the Super. And as I said, she managed on that, as everyone could if they budgeted, if they lived within their means.
There is going to be the option of using KiwiSaver to buy a first home, but people are actually
going to have to join and contribute. I've seen more whinging & whining about that, so I guess there will be a continuing generations doing the same whining "we can't afford to buy a house", to them, I say "rubbish" . KiwiSaver is the chance, if they blow that, then blow them. Too many these days want too much and resort to using credit cards & hire purchase, getting themselves further & further into debt.
I have no tolerance of those who live well beyond their means and then blame others for their lack of control.
Two words which come repeatedly from rightwingers mouths, but which they fail to apply to their own & others lives, thoughts & notions, if they can get away with blaming the government for it and they are ...... Personal Responsibility.
I am wide awake and choose to think there others like me, who think there are honest people out there still. I also will never be the type that thinks there is a communist, a Muslim, a Chinese hiding under the bed waiting to take over the country 
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Post by caz23 on Jun 24, 2007 20:31:50 GMT 12
I believe that current benefit levels are more than enough. I'm afraid that, IMO, benefits, and super, should never be much more than subsistence level.
All that happens when levels are elevated, there is no motivation for people on benefits to get off them, and become responsible for themselves.
Sure, welfare is required, but it should be for a hand up, not a hand out.
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Post by sparrow on Jun 24, 2007 20:49:04 GMT 12
caz23: the whole idea of welfare is it is a hand-out. Self-development is the hand-up. I think what you're getting at is more along the lines of whether welfare is a life-style choice.
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Post by bingbong on Jun 24, 2007 21:15:33 GMT 12
re the respective last two replies.
Clearly people who are clean and healthy dont have the need to get their step up on life on others who are needing or on welfare. People on Welfare are not the problem.
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Post by caz23 on Jun 24, 2007 21:40:46 GMT 12
caz23: the whole idea of welfare is it is a hand-out. Self-development is the hand-up. I think what you're getting at is more along the lines of whether welfare is a life-style choice. Yes. Quite right. There are some benefits where abuse is rife. The dole, and the DPB are 2 that IMO are way too easy to stay on, and in both cases, should mainly be used as an interim income, until you get your self some work. Obviously, that is not always the case. Sorry BB, I don't quite understand your last reply. |
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Post by bingbong on Jun 24, 2007 22:23:44 GMT 12
re caz [Sorry BB, I don't quite understand your last reply.]
Clearly you have a difficulty with comprehension therefore it pointless in repeating the genesis of the issue. I believe your chosen avatar is an indicator where your brain is at. Not a good place but there will always be a place for you on welfare! 
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Post by Lux on Jun 24, 2007 22:29:20 GMT 12
Hey go easy on the avatar. |
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..oh don't you worry about the poor project manager, I'm sure all visa bills and travel expensives will be paid acccordingly kindly donated by you and I, the taxpayers. 
