Government Bill Attacks Youth, Single Parents, Widows, Women Alone.

Attacks upon Youth, Children, Mothers and Grandmothers

Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill 10-1 (2012), Government Bill

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0010/latest/DLM4360201.html?search=ts_bill_Social+Security+Amendment+Bill_resel&p=1&sr=1

Attacks on Youth, including Young Parents =" Income Management".

Only a tiny amount of cash, WINZ pays rent etc directly; and food costs are available in a card only, which will only be able to be spent at very limited shops (perhaps only one). So much for bargain hunting or budgetting!
Then perks of ten dollars extra or so per week if you behave and do approved study.

From the Bill:

"Eligibility, payment and rates

This Bill introduces two new payments for young people that will replace most benefits currently accessed by 16-18 year olds:

• a Youth Payment for 16-17 year-olds with no dependent children who have exceptional circumstances:

• a Young Parent Payment for 16-18 year-old parents (and, if aged 16-17 years, have exceptional circumstances or come from a low income family).

The new payments will be based on the level of financial assistance available at 1 April 2012 and will be distributed through redirections (for accommodation and utility costs), a payment card (for food and groceries) and an in-hand allowance. An abatement-free income level will be set at $206.73 per week. "

First Youth, then the rest of us! Say No to "Income Management" Now!!

Attacks Upon Single Parents, Babies and Children, Widows, and Women alone .

From the Bill:

Rules if you have one child:

• require sole parents receiving the domestic purposes benefit and partners of other main benefit recipients to be available for part-time work when their youngest child is five years of age:

• require sole parents receiving the domestic purposes benefit and partners of other main benefit recipients to be available for full-time work when their youngest child is aged 14 or older:

• Rules for Women Alone and Widows
  

• extend these work availability expectations to women receiving the widows’ benefit and the domestic purposes benefit for women alone:

• extend the ability to require pre-benefit activities before grant of a domestic purposes benefit for sole parents or women alone or widow's benefit.

Rules if you have a Second Child

"Where a parent has additional children while receiving a benefit, their work availability expectations will be based on the age of their previous youngest child, once their newborn turns one year of age. "

This Means:

If you have a one year old baby and your previous child is over five, you have to do part time work.

If you have a one year old baby and your previous child is over fourteen-you have to do full time work!!