tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post103206962688341300..comments2024-03-04T16:39:30.609+13:00Comments on Lindsay Mitchell: Tackling disability dependence is one of the most difficult tasks facing govtsLindsay Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437693272797130833noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-14570915294937025762012-01-08T18:06:01.364+13:002012-01-08T18:06:01.364+13:00The shift from SB to IB is understandable because ...The shift from SB to IB is understandable because it pays better, but it may be a one off thing.. eg, people with Multiple Sclerosis who were on the SB were actively being advised to check their eligibility for the IB over the past decade or so.<br /><br />Incidentally the population in 1973 was near enough 3.1 million and near enough 4 million in 2003 (Yearbook).<br /><br />JCJChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00875768024598278750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-90498162262670370842012-01-08T14:18:52.589+13:002012-01-08T14:18:52.589+13:00Indeed, that is the new rule, Lindsay. However, mo...Indeed, that is the new rule, Lindsay. However, most are not ready for part time work initially anyway. If they were on unemployment, they would still be hassled about work readiness.<br /><br />I should point out that these are not "bludgers", but people who genuinely cannot work for temporary reasons. WINZ often helps with rehab programs, if they are not already funded by ACC, assisting these folk back into work faster. This is one of the areas where welfare actually does what it is supposed to do - help people temporarily. But it does, as I have pointed out, contribute to the volatility of SB numbers as compared to Invalids benefit.macdoctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355791620208619049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-33260402643300875932012-01-08T13:59:40.278+13:002012-01-08T13:59:40.278+13:00"....no-one pesters you about work readiness...."....no-one pesters you about work readiness."<br /><br />That changed last year when the SB became subject to part-time work-testing.<br /><br />"From May 2011 Sickness Beneficiaries who have been assessed as being able to work part-time (15 to 29 hours a week) will have an obligation to look for suitable part-time work.<br />Case managers will be able to require a second opinion from a designated doctor before making a decision to apply part-time work obligations."<br /><br />http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/factsheets/future-focus/sickness-benefit.htmlLindsay Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04437693272797130833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-66784335877198303762012-01-08T13:18:47.173+13:002012-01-08T13:18:47.173+13:00It has certainly been my experience that the numbe...It has certainly been my experience that the number of sickness beneficiaries with mental health problems has increased markedly over the past few years. The Christchurch earthquakes will probably feature in this, as well as the recession.<br /><br />Interestingly, I have not noticed an increase in drug abusers on SB - although they may be presenting with anxiety and depression, rather than drug problems.<br /><br />The criteria for invalids benefit are quite a bit tighter than for SB, hence the rise in IB is a lot less volatile. Many people pop on to SB while recovering from ops and accidents - it pays better than unemployment, you can access other funds and rehab more easily and no-one pesters you about work readinessmacdoctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355791620208619049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-44424332677359631622012-01-08T10:00:36.450+13:002012-01-08T10:00:36.450+13:00So, in a nutshell, what they are saying is that th...So, in a nutshell, what they are saying is that the rising numbers have very little to do with more people becoming sick or incapacitated per se, and almost everything to do with more people suddenly becoming eligible for a benefit as illegal drug use increases and the qualifying criteria change. Interesting.mikenoreply@blogger.com