Couple told to quit night class or have benefits cut

A 55-year-old unemployed man has been told that he and his partner won't be able to access full benefits unless he quits his free night class. Both the man and his partner, who are parents to an 8 year old, are taking business classes at Te Wananga O Aotearoa in Otara, south Auckland. While his partner is eligible for a student allowance, he is not, because he used up his quota years ago. He has depression and anxiety, so he's not seeking work, he is too old for a student loan and he's been told that going on a sickness benefit will affect his partner's benefit - which will leave them struggling. Studylink has told the man that if he and his partner both want to access full benefits, one of them will have to give up their studies. The couple's advocate Alastair Russell from Auckland Action Against Poverty told RNZ reporter Eva Corlett it's a catch-22.