12 November 2009
Media Statement
Disabled people dealt more cruel blows by ACC

Amongst the harshest ACC cuts of all are those which affect people with disabilities, says Lynne Pillay MP Labour Spokesperson for Disability Issues.

“The sleepover allowance for spouses who care for their husbands and wives at home is to be axed and there is still uncertainty as to when this is to happen.

“The sleepover allowance goes some way to acknowledging and supporting spouses who care for their husbands or wives overnight, and compensates them for the continued broken sleep.

“Being forced into this state of financial limbo is simply cruel and unfair. People who care for disabled members of their family should be strongly supported and treated with respect – cutting the small amount of funding they receive makes absolutely no sense either economically or socially,” says Lynne Pillay.

“Cutting the allowance will have a detrimental health effect on disabled people and their families.

“The cuts to the sleep over allowance is a another blow for people with disabilities already facing levy hikes, less access to home based support because of travel reimbursement cuts, and funding cuts for home and vehicle modifications,” Lynne Pillay said.

“These workers are not highly paid and the travel allowance enabled them to be reimbursed for the travelling they needed to do each day,” says Lynne Pillay.

“These ill-thought out moves will only lead to a shortage of workers and no financial support for families of disabled people - a lose/lose on all fronts.

“It is time for the Government to stop slashing and burning and start investing in our people.

“Their pay more, get less approach is a recipe for disaster,” says Lynne Pillay.

ENDS

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