Problems with benefits 'deliberate from the top-down'

April 7, 2016

Problems with benefits 'deliberate from the top-down'

Hundreds turned up to AAAP's 'impact' event in Mangere running from April 5-7. Photo: Jihee Junn.

As hundreds turned up for beneficiary advice at a Mangere event, organisers say this is "just the tip of the iceberg".

Run by Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP), the organisation's three-day 'impact' event saw many turn up looking for help receiving welfare from Work and Income.

With many struggling to receive their full entitlement of benefits, AAAP coordinator and former Green Party MP, Sue Bradford, said that these problems are "deliberate from the top-down".

"They're not getting enough benefit or accommodation supplement or other supplements that they're entitled to. They're having to live from incomes that are really low. Even $50 a week can make a huge difference.

"There are families living with no furniture, no fridge, no washing machine, no vents, nothing. I just heard of a case of four children with nothing, just sleeping with blankets on the floor."

Staggering turnout meant many were turned away by midday, with some queuing from as early as 6.30am.

AAAP's last 'impact' in Mangere in 2014 helped more than 500 people. This year, they hope to help 700 people by the end of the week.

People participating in event for unemployed

"This is just the tip of the iceberg. This is just the people who've found out about it," said Ms Bradford.

Mangere MP Su'a William Sio said he was not surprised by the large turnout.

"I was expecting it because the rules have changed so many times that most people aren't aware. There'll be a lot of people who have had their benefits cut or stopped and they haven't understood why."

Mr William Sio said this was indicative of the type of government that is being run and that it must reevaluate its priorities.

"This Government is traditionally business friendly and their whole focus is to govern for few. They haven't necessarily been interested in the welfare of many.

"The Government has had this relentless focus on pushing everybody to work. But in essence, it was more about pushing people off the benefit line, and it doesn't matter if people could work or not, they just wanted to make themselves feel as if they were doing something."