10 December 2012
Beneficiary Impact – Come get what is rightfully yours
Auckland Action Against Poverty and other northern advocates will coalesce outside of Work and Income Onehunga today,
tomorrow and Wednesday to work with beneficiaries in the Onehunga community to ensure they get the support that is
rightfully theirs, says Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Sarah Thompson.
“Work and Income have a culture of denying people their full entitlements so this event- what is called an 'Impact' -
aims to get people the financial support that is rightfully theirs.
“During the three days, from 9am to 4.30pm, we aim to work with large numbers of beneficiaries to ensure they're
receiving their full entitlements.
“On Tuesday the 11th from 12pm to 2pm, we are also holding a rally across from Work and Income Onehunga with political
speakers including Jacinda Ardern, Jan Logie and John Minto who will speak to their party's welfare policies.
“During the Impact we expect to find many people who are not receiving Temporary Additional Support and the Disability
Allowance – additional support that beneficiaries are frequently not informed of.
“We expect to find people needing an Advance Payment of Benefit for things like rent and bond, due to the increase in
overcrowding and the lack of available Housing NZ houses. And we expect to find many people in need of Food Grants as a
result of the increase in unemployment and poverty.
“By working with these people we aim to work around some of the budgeting requirements. Beneficiaries don't have a
budgeting problem, they have a problem of insufficient funds with benefit payments too low to get by,” says Ms Thompson.
“Work and Income will have over 12 extra staff each day at the Onehunga office to deal with the influx.
“We are focusing on the Onehunga community for the Impact however all beneficiaries and low paid workers are welcome,
bring I.D. We will have quotes for essential items such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, fridges and more.”
ENDS