Benefits policy explained

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 7

Benefits policy explained

The Social Welfare Department can grant money for immediate needs in cases where hardship is clearly established, says the department’s Christchurch director (Mr C. L. Waters) in reply to a letter to “The Press.” The letter-writer, Mr Luke McGuinniety, said that he went to the department for help because he was “out of money, down on luck, and unemployed.” An assistant advised him that he would have to wait six weeks before anything positive could be done. “Meanwhile, what was I, or any likwise afflicted New Zealander to do? Rob a bank? In disgust, I picked up all my filled-in, time-gobbling forms and walked out,” said Mr McGuinniety. Mr Waters said that it

was difficult to comment as Mr McGuinniety had never applied for a benefit, but he would explain the department’s policy and procedures on the unemployment benefit. “To qualify for an unemployment benefit a»i applicant must be unemployed, capable of and willing to work, and have taken reasonable steps to obtain employment. “It is to establish these basic qualifications that an applicant must register for work with the Labour Department and produce a certificate from that department to this deparment, to support an application for unemployment benefit. “The benefit-application form contains questions as to income, previous employment, and reasons for leaving such employment. An interview is

done when receiving the application, to amplify answers to questions and to explain qualifications and procedure to the applicant. There is a “means” test to the unemployment benefit, hence the inquiry concerning finances,” said Mr Waters. “The Social Security Act provides that a benefit shall not be payable in respect of the first seven days of unemployment, although there is discretion to waive this requirement in appropriate cases. The seven-day waiting period normally begins from the date of registration for work with the Labour Department. There is also provision in the act to delay a grant for up to six weeks where the applicant left his previous job voluntarily without good reason or lost his job by reason of misconduct as a, worker. Likewise, a similar penalty is invoked for a refusal to accept an offer of suitable work,” said Mr Waters. “Mr McGuinniety’s reference to being advised to ‘wait for at least six weeks’ perhaps related to a question of his reason for leaving bis previous job or of refusal of suitable work if that were applicable. “Staff do not tell applicants to wait for six weeks. All applications are accepted, processed, and, where approved, paid with minimum delay.

“Mr McGuinniety apparently inquired for an immediate cash grant pending finalisation of his pro-

posed application. Again there is provision for grants for immediate needs where hardship is clearly established. Naturally, however, such grants are not made without inquiry,” Mr Waters said.

“In Mr McGuinniety’s case, I note from his previous letter, publisTied on March 30, that he has returned from overseas and had $5OO confiscated by the Customs Department. With a background such as that it would be reasonable to make some inquiry before making a ‘hardshop grant;” Mr Waters said.