Department Of Work And Income Fails To Promote Special Benefits
Green Party MP Sue Bradford says she's saddened but not surprised to learn from Wellington's Downtown Community Ministry
that 95 percent of households eligible for the Government's special benefit are not receiving it.
Ms Bradford said the Department of Work and Income had clearly failed to adequately implement the Ministerial Directive
on Special Benefits, which was issued in December.
"If the Minister Steve Maharey is serious about turning around the culture of Work and Income, he needs to ensure that
staff are trained, willing and able to tell beneficiaries what their full entitlements are."
Ms Bradford said if DWI were unable to promote the special benefits programme, the task should be taken away from them
and given to organisations such as the Downtown Ministry that will do the job effectively.
She called on Government to recompense the Ministry and other groups who have had to undertake their own promotion and
advocacy to ensure that beneficiaries receive their entitlements, she said.
Ends