Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.
To post in this sub-forum you must have made 100 posts or have Trust status or have completed our ID Verification



View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
1 | ... | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 
Rikkitic
Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #1856193 1-Sep-2017 00:38
Send private message

I really think people who feel this way have got it wrong. I was close to a single mum with two young girls for several years. She was on a benefit while she tried to raise her kids and complete a degree. She really struggled. I helped out where I could and she also had good family support but she certainly didn't have a good lifestyle. Now she is doing well, remarried and with her own business and she even owns three houses. But at that time it was really hard to put decent food on the table and give her children a decent childhood. Kids only have one childhood. It really sucks when you can't offer them a proper Christmas or real holidays. It is not just about beneficiaries living it up on the taxpayer. It really isn't. I think a lot of people just don't realise how tough it can be for people in that position. Fortunately I was able to help out at the time and my friend is now doing well and her children are grown and she has not been on a benefit for a long time, but she really needed the help at that point in her life. The benefit should not be a long-term lifestyle for people who do not need it, but it should not be a punishment for those who genuinely do. If your circumstances put you in that unfortunate position, then you ought to be able to have a decent life and give your kids proper holidays like other kids and afford proper nutritious food and all the other things that most people take for granted. If you have no other choice but to live on a benefit, then surely you have a right to a comfortable and dignified lifestyle. Why punish someone further simply because they are poor?

 

 

 

 





Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 




MikeB4
18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #1856218 1-Sep-2017 06:44
Send private message

shk292:

JayADee: 

I don't know how people can think NZs benefit system is 'generous'. ACC maybe.


For a given value of generous?


Whatever it is now, I strongly disagree with the changes that MT and the Greens are proposing, which in my view are likely only to encourage inter-generational welfare dependency.


Long term living on benefit isn't meant to be a comfortable, "dignified" lifestyle option



What about those with no option, those disabled that cannot work, they should live an uncomfortable undignified life and the cripple should just accept their alms and accept their miserable existence.

JayADee
2148 posts

Uber Geek


  #1856221 1-Sep-2017 06:57
Send private message

Making people more anxious and stressed in an already tough situation where they are already demoralised and struggling does not make them more likely to find a job.

I don't know why some people think others go on a benefit as a lifestyle choice. How do they get that impression?
I also think if you want to guarantee generational poverty all you have to do is make sure kids grow up poor and lacking the normal childhood securities and experiences.



shk292
2853 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #1856314 1-Sep-2017 08:31
Send private message

MikeB4:

 


What about those with no option, those disabled that cannot work, they should live an uncomfortable undignified life and the cripple should just accept their alms and accept their miserable existence.

 

I have no idea about the current diability benefit - is it adequate?  I think it should be, but on the other hand I think that ongoing medical assessments are a reasonable expectation.  MT's position that once you're on, you stay on with no further assessment doesn't seem right.

 

People that work for a living turn up for work 40 hours per week, 48 weeks per year.  I don't think it's unreasonable to expect beneficiaries to turn up every so often


Pumpedd
1759 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #1856335 1-Sep-2017 09:09
Send private message

shk292:

 

MikeB4:

 


What about those with no option, those disabled that cannot work, they should live an uncomfortable undignified life and the cripple should just accept their alms and accept their miserable existence.

 

I have no idea about the current diability benefit - is it adequate?  I think it should be, but on the other hand I think that ongoing medical assessments are a reasonable expectation.  MT's position that once you're on, you stay on with no further assessment doesn't seem right.

 

People that work for a living turn up for work 40 hours per week, 48 weeks per year.  I don't think it's unreasonable to expect beneficiaries to turn up every so often

 

 

A single person on disability has a core benefit of about $270/week. If they own their own home they need a mortgage to get accommodation suppllement. Rates takes up over $50/week..plus there is insurance and maintenance. A person on disability cannot live on it at all. It is a disgrace imo.

 

Whilst Metiria raised good points, she had no right to try and piggy back on top of her fraudulent past to benefit her election campaign. MOST people on disability are honest people with no choices, unlike Metiria. She deserves to go to jail, just like a lot of people on a benefit deserve better. They dont deserve to be lumped in as deceitful people like her.


MikeB4
18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #1856423 1-Sep-2017 09:44
Send private message

I have have an incurable progressive illness that has disabled me and I chose medical retirement a few years back, I was contracting for a while but have stopped that. I am too young for a pension and I do not qualify for a benefit as our income is way too high. If I did qualify I would have to sell my modified home and motor vehicle as any benefit would not come close to covering those expenses. I also have very high medical related cost which would be impossible to meet. It costs me $46 per visit to see my GP and if I were required to be assessed medically it would cost me a lot for absolutely no gain. So yeah I guess if I were on a benefit I would be living the life of Riley and have a great time.

 

 


jonathan18
7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #1856505 1-Sep-2017 11:39
Send private message

Pumpedd:

 

 

 

A single person on disability has a core benefit of about $270/week. If they own their own home they need a mortgage to get accommodation suppllement. Rates takes up over $50/week..plus there is insurance and maintenance. A person on disability cannot live on it at all. It is a disgrace imo.

 

I have to point out this is not at all true. A key feature of the Accommodation Supplement is it's accommodation-type-agnostic. The AS provides support for home-owners, renters and boarders; for those who own their own home, costs that are considered are not only mortgage payments, but also rates, insurance and essential repairs and maintenance. While it's trickier for those who own a home without mortgage to get the AS, simply because they will typically have considerably lower costs that can go towards meeting the entry threshold (the component of costs a recipient must receive before receiving a co-payment towards costs), they can still get the AS. [Entry threshold varies by family type; the AS will then pay a proportion of the accommodation costs above the entry threshold up to the relevant maxima (which not only vary by family type, but also by location).]

 

Disclaimer: worked on AS policy within MSD for a few years.


 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.
networkn
Networkn
32349 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1858030 4-Sep-2017 11:56
Send private message

MikeB4:
shk292:

 

JayADee: 

I don't know how people can think NZs benefit system is 'generous'. ACC maybe.

 

 

 

For a given value of generous?

 

 

 

Whatever it is now, I strongly disagree with the changes that MT and the Greens are proposing, which in my view are likely only to encourage inter-generational welfare dependency.

 

 

 

Long term living on benefit isn't meant to be a comfortable, "dignified" lifestyle option

 



What about those with no option, those disabled that cannot work, they should live an uncomfortable undignified life and the cripple should just accept their alms and accept their miserable existence.

 

You know I sympathize with your situation, I wonder though, what would you consider the solution to be? How much money should those on a disability allowance get? (That's a genuine question to someone in the exact situation). 

 

 


Pumpedd
1759 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #1858160 4-Sep-2017 14:10
Send private message

networkn:

 

MikeB4:
shk292:

 

JayADee: 

I don't know how people can think NZs benefit system is 'generous'. ACC maybe.

 

 

 

For a given value of generous?

 

 

 

Whatever it is now, I strongly disagree with the changes that MT and the Greens are proposing, which in my view are likely only to encourage inter-generational welfare dependency.

 

 

 

Long term living on benefit isn't meant to be a comfortable, "dignified" lifestyle option

 



What about those with no option, those disabled that cannot work, they should live an uncomfortable undignified life and the cripple should just accept their alms and accept their miserable existence.

 

You know I sympathize with your situation, I wonder though, what would you consider the solution to be? How much money should those on a disability allowance get? (That's a genuine question to someone in the exact situation). 

 

 

 

 

Enough to be able to live on would be nice. Probably another $20-$40/week would be all it takes. Inflation has eaten into it substantially over the years and has only risen less than 1% per annum for a long time. A long winter like we have just had is very difficult to pay for in heating costs, and doctors visits are now much more expensive than they were 8 years ago. This is a long term thing as it is permanent disability. If people on disability are not allowed a dignified living, then maybe they should legalise euthanasia or increase the already massive suicide numbers (over 600). National Super rates have increased at almost 3 times these numbers. It seems once people on disability reach age 65 it becomes more bearable.

 

A lot of people who become permanently disabled have paid tax for many decades and do own their own home. Assuming no other income $270/week does not go far for a single person.


Pumpedd
1759 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #1858171 4-Sep-2017 14:16
Send private message

jonathan18:

 

Pumpedd:

 

 

 

A single person on disability has a core benefit of about $270/week. If they own their own home they need a mortgage to get accommodation suppllement. Rates takes up over $50/week..plus there is insurance and maintenance. A person on disability cannot live on it at all. It is a disgrace imo.

 

I have to point out this is not at all true. A key feature of the Accommodation Supplement is it's accommodation-type-agnostic. The AS provides support for home-owners, renters and boarders; for those who own their own home, costs that are considered are not only mortgage payments, but also rates, insurance and essential repairs and maintenance. While it's trickier for those who own a home without mortgage to get the AS, simply because they will typically have considerably lower costs that can go towards meeting the entry threshold (the component of costs a recipient must receive before receiving a co-payment towards costs), they can still get the AS. [Entry threshold varies by family type; the AS will then pay a proportion of the accommodation costs above the entry threshold up to the relevant maxima (which not only vary by family type, but also by location).]

 

Disclaimer: worked on AS policy within MSD for a few years.

 

 

I would be ashamed to admit that. 


MikeB4
18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #1858186 4-Sep-2017 14:33
Send private message

Pumpedd:

 

jonathan18:

 

Pumpedd:

 

 

 

A single person on disability has a core benefit of about $270/week. If they own their own home they need a mortgage to get accommodation suppllement. Rates takes up over $50/week..plus there is insurance and maintenance. A person on disability cannot live on it at all. It is a disgrace imo.

 

I have to point out this is not at all true. A key feature of the Accommodation Supplement is it's accommodation-type-agnostic. The AS provides support for home-owners, renters and boarders; for those who own their own home, costs that are considered are not only mortgage payments, but also rates, insurance and essential repairs and maintenance. While it's trickier for those who own a home without mortgage to get the AS, simply because they will typically have considerably lower costs that can go towards meeting the entry threshold (the component of costs a recipient must receive before receiving a co-payment towards costs), they can still get the AS. [Entry threshold varies by family type; the AS will then pay a proportion of the accommodation costs above the entry threshold up to the relevant maxima (which not only vary by family type, but also by location).]

 

Disclaimer: worked on AS policy within MSD for a few years.

 

 

I would be ashamed to admit that. 

 

 

 

 

Why?


1 | ... | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.