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SUPERANNUATS MISLED BY WINZ

part 2

I wrote to Mr Ward Tuite, Levin Service Centre Manager, requesting payment of $28.84 - the cost of travel to their Service Centre to have Sheryl's disability transport allowances reinstated after John Ireland cancelled them in March 05. He has not replied. Also, 20 working days have lapsed since I wrote to the CEO of the Ministry of Social Development, Mr Peter Hughes in regard to this latest outrage. He has not bothered to reply either. Therefore, I have written to the Ombudsmen, Mr Mel Smith, requesting that he inquire why the Department does not reply to my letters.

I take particular umbrage to this form of bulling as the Department has been advised by my G.P. of my own medical condition brought on by their unrelenting harassment. Clouded in a tricky-dickey maneuver's clearly designed to create maximum stress, this latest dirty trick of canceling Sheryl's transport allowance effectively demonstrated an intent by the Ministry of Social Development to continue its efforts to cancel forever State assistance to enable Sheryl to partake in the medical treatment the judiciary, the Ministry of Social Development, and several medical professionals who agreed they are necessary and ongoing.

On 18 October 04

Sheryl's G.P. stated in a letter to Work and Income that:

"My concern is that in the long term, Sheryl may well need Hospital/Rest Home care. I must say I am outraged at this decision (to cancel all Sheryl's Transport Disability Allowances) as I feel that it is going to have a significant effect on her current and long term mental health."

I am just as determined to keep Sheryl out of an institution as the Department is in its clear intention of ensuring that she be put in 'prison' for the remainder of her life.

In 'Work and Income NZ Part 1' I signaled a possible intention to proceed with a law suit against those responsible (the Chief Executive Peter Hughes) for preventing Sheryl from partaking in those activities needed for her treatment between the months September 2004 and March 2005, by stopping Sheryl's disability allowances without justification.

I probably would not have reconsidered except for this latest harassment and breach of faith by the Ministry of Social Development in its stopping for a second time those disability payments for transport so essential for Sheryl's treatment.

21 March 05

I requested from Peter Ireland a complete breakdown of Sheryl's disability cost which the Department had approved. The request was ignored.

30 March 2005

I wrote to Mr Peter Hughes, the CEO of the Ministry of Social Development, expressing outrage at the Department's stopping Sheryl's disability allowances without there being a change of circumstances for a second time in a few months, and requested an apology. He responded by apologizing for the "disruption" and the "inconvenience" the cancellation caused.

The Ministry did not apologize for stopping Sheryl's disability allowances. This indicated to me that the Ministry was planning further disruption and cancellation of Sheryl's treatment by stopping for a third time and without justification - possibly at the next renewal - those same State approved allowances.

Tricky-Dickey all the way

09 May 2005

I wrote to the CEO requesting the Ministry apologize in the proper manner and give Sheryl an assurance that another, third cancellation, by tricky dickey means will not occur at the next review. I don't know how long it will be before a reply is received. (It was just on a month before Sheryl received a response from the last letter I wrote to Mr Peter Hughes, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Social Development.)

A copy of the letter to Mr Peter Hughes has been sent to the Ombudsman, in Wellington, Mr Mel Smith.

15 June 2005

Six weeks later the Ministry of Social Development replied saying, "Work and Income is not preparing an unjustified disruption to you and your wife's benefit". Yeah, right.

Although I had requested several times since February 05 for a breakdown of Sheryl's Allowable Weekly Disability costs. Peter Ireland did not reply so I had no idea which allowances were assigned to which "item, service, or treatment."

23 June 2005

Peter Ireland had no choice but to send Sheryl's Annual Invalid's Benefit Renewal papers which showed the breakdown I had repeatedly requested, but was denied. Sure enough, the breakdown revealed that Work and Income had cancelled Sheryl's "Favourite Places" disability Allowance once again without justification. And cancelled too, her disability allowance for heating and power costs. That is, without there being a "change of circumstances" in regard to these costs. This was clearly another tricky-dickey ploy.

** You will note that just 8 days after the CEO pledged that there would be no "unjustified disruption", a unjustified disruption occurred!

Although both allowances were reinstated after I contacted the Department (not Peter Ireland); this does not make it right. i.e. Is Sheryl expected to thank Work and Income for reinstating a disability allowance which should never have been cancelled in the first place? No, of course not.

Sheryl would have been denied, tricked, mislead, and generally deceived into believing that she wasn't entitled to any medical assistance including Transport Disability Allowance, or Telecom's "Favourite Places" program, or a heating and power allowance. There is no doubt that Sheryl would be dead; or, would have be incarcerated in an institution years ago if I had not been her advocate - as I have been from day one.

This contemptuous cancellation demonstrates the callous indifference of Work and Income employees toward even chronically ill persons who are solely reliant upon the State for their health and well being. Remember that this type of activity by Work and Income staff is 'par for the course', as thousands of disadvantaged New Zealanders can testify. I will be requesting that the Ministry of Social Development sack Peter Ireland, or accept Peter Ireland's resignation. Firing of staff may be the only remedy which may induce the Leopard to try and change its spots.

david.taylor1@clear.net.nz