Benefit
MSD Minister discusses delayed reviews of sanctions cases
Thousands of women who had their benefits docked are still waiting for their cases to be reviewed more than two years after the Minister ordered MSD to take a second look.
The women had up to $28 a… Video, Audio
Woman sanctioned by MSD over fear of naming child's father owed thousands
Welfare advocates say thousands of women who had benefits docked unfairly because they could not or would not name their child's father could be entitled to significant lump sum refunds.
But the… Video, Audio
New beneficiaries likely to be high income earners and Pākehā
People who went on the benefit during the covid-19 lockdown were more likely to be first time beneficiaries, higher earners, recently returned from overseas, and Pākehā.
A new Ministry of Social… Audio
MSD ready to support struggling NZers
New Zealanders are struggling to put food on the table, with food banks experiencing unprecedented demands and thousands more people accessing the Ministry of Social Development's food and hardship… Audio
Beneficiary advocates concerned MSD not ready for influx
Beneficiary advocates are concerned the Ministry for Social Development won't be able to cope with the vast number of people needing to access benefits during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Social… Audio
National MP says benefit cuts could be good for Māori
National MP Joanne Hayes reckons benefit cuts could be good for Māori. She says cutting benefits could strengthen whānau - if they're resourceful. Her comments have been condemned by the Māori… Audio
Solo mums on benefits having to decide between food and fuel
Solo mums say benefits just aren't enough to raise a family and food banks say they're seeing unprecedented demand from parents. Sarah Robson investigates the Coalition government's promise to… Audio
Working poor: The long, excruciating wait for a state house
An Auckland social worker says the wait for state housing is putting young lives at risk, including a Mangere family of six, who have spent the last four years jammed into a one-bedroom private… Video, Audio
Will a boost to benefits be enough to put meat back in the grocery shop?
The Finance Minister reckons the small boost to benefits anounced yesterday could put meat back in the grocery shop for some... but others say it's simply not meaty enough to make a real difference. Video, Audio
Advocates want urgent action on MSD debt recovery
Lawyers and beneficiary advocates want an urgent review into the Ministry for Social Development's debt recovery programme. Yesterday the High Court ruled against the Ministry, which had been… Audio
Ruling on beneficiary's loans a landmark decision - advocates
A High Court ruling that bank loans and credit card debt can't be considered part of a beneficiary's income is being hailed as a landmark decision with huge implications. The Ministry for Social… Audio
Benefit suspensions drop after policy change
The number of people whose benefits are suspended or cancelled each day has dropped by almost a quarter - in just a matter of weeks. It follows a policy change, announced last month, that means any… Audio
Eastland Wood Council plans onsite training scheme
While the Government considers programmes to get young people in the regions off the dole and into work, one business says it has a model that's already proven a success. The Eastland Wood Council is… Audio
Another look at the work-for-the-dole minimum wage idea
The former Otorohanga mayor who got his town down to zero unemployment on Shane Jones' comments about young people on the unemployment benefit. Audio
Disabled man's benefit cut by Work and Income
A severely intellectually disabled man's benefit has been cancelled because Work and Income says it didn't receive his yearly update form. His father is hoping for changes to the ministry he says has… Audio
Turei's benefit fraud, elusive Barclay and the blowhard
Bryce Edwards talks about Metiria Turei's benefit fraud admission, what's happened to Todd Barclay and Andrew Little's disparaging comments about Winston Peters. Audio
What's it like to rely on a benefit?
Given welfare is set to be a key election issue, we thought we'd talk to someone about their experience of being on a benefit. Artist, Pinky Fang, is on a disability benefit in New Zealand. Audio
Benefit cut punitive, says mother of disabled woman
The mother of an intellectually disabled woman who had her benefit cut says it was punitive and mean spirited and policies must change. Audio
Hundreds of cancer patients placed on Jobseeker benefit
Cancer patients say it's ludicrous they're being classified as jobseekers when they apply for benefits. Social Issues reporter Alex Ashton reports. Audio
Govt seeks to wipe millions in debt to beneficiaries through law change
Work and Income has started paying beneficiaries coming off stand down a day late for the last 18 years; the government is now trying to change the law and wipe the debt. Alex Ashton reports. Audio