Work
and Income part 4
- Articles and Stories
Work
and Income part 4WORK AND INCOME NZ
part three
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Everything hereto are my opinions, views, and experiences over nine years of constant battle with Work and Income NZ (New Zealand Income Support Services as it was once known). These views and opinions are expressed pursuant to and under the protection of the NZ Bill of Rights Act.
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Worst in world August 2006 – Local Newspapers report that New Zealand has the worst record of all Western nations in the care of their sick and disabled. |
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28 February 2005 Work and Income thanked Sheryl for sending in her completed Special Benefit Renewal papers and advised her that our "files had been transferred to the Levin Work and Income office". And that a Peter Ireland would be our new case manager. As Peter Ireland represents the Ministry of Social Development, his title is “chief executive” according to the Social Security Act. Anyway, Mr Ireland was to contact Sheryl "shortly" to discuss her bi-annual Special Benefit renewal. 16 March 2005 Instead of contacting Sheryl or I, the Attorney-General once again stopped all Sheryl's Disability Transport Allowances essential to her treatment, without there being a change of circumstances. That is, without complying to Section 81 of the social Security Act in which an interview is required to establish if a change of circumstances had occurred. This was clearly another breach of trust by the Department and almost identical to the previous breach which occurred six months earlier on 15 September 04. This second contemptuous action by a senior Work and Income employee in regard to Sheryl's medical requirements indicates a determination by the Department to cancel those treatments and activities which has enabled Sheryl a measure of mental stability. For the second time in a few months the Attorney General intention was to stifle Sheryl's ability to receive the treatment for which the medical profession has, on many occasions, advised the Ministry were ongoing and essential for her health and wellbeing. (Sheryl's health, and happiness would have been severely affected, especially after the cancellation on the 15 September 04 which lasted over four months before they were reinstated. Luckily I had taken out a Bank Loan of $1500 on the 24th of September for "repairs and maintenance" on our 70 year old bungalow. At the time I thought little of the cancellation and sincerely believed that an honest error had been made by Work and Income. However, it was not until 2 or 3 weeks later that it dawned on me that it was no 'error' but a planned step by step move by the Department which would eventually enable Work and Income to cancel Sheryl's transport disability allowances without there being a change of circumstances.) I hate to think what would have happened to Sheryl's and my relationship. It was this bank loan that provided Sheryl's treatment, unfortunately little was spent on repairs and maintenance. It is appalling that the Attorney General could cancel such an important disability benefit again without even making a simple inquiry i.e. a phone call to Sheryl's doctor, or myself, to check if a change of circumstances had occurred. To breach trust a second time, so soon after the reinstatement of Sheryl's disability assistance after the first breach, is pretty hard to swallow. No wonder I suffer from "Reactive Depression". But wait there's more! As noted, the Ministry of Social Development advised that a Peter Ireland of the Levin Branch of Work and Income New Zealand, was to be our new case manager and that he would contact me "shortly". Peter Ireland did not contact me 'shortly', so I arranged an interview with him for the 21 March 05. He promised to send a standard WINZ breakdown of Sheryl's Weekly Disability Allowable Costs. It took him three months to respond; and then only because he had no choice. The breakdown was not comprehensive enough as I still was unable to decipher how much was allowed for which "Item, service, or treatment." Why was this request so important? Because without the proper and complete breakdown I was unable to establish if Work and Income had in fact complied with legislation in regard to Sheryl's approved disability costs. It was not until the 23 June, that we found out that the Department had not reinstated Sheryl's disability allowance for Telecom's "Favourite Places" program. This meant that the Department had been less than truthful to Sheryl when it implied that it had reinstated and backdated the disability allowances which had been cancelled 9 months earlier. I only discovered the deception because Peter Ireland had no option but to post Sheryl's Invalid Benefit Renewal papers out to her. They clearly showed that the allowance was not being paid. Our Case Manager obviously knew this and was probably hoping that I would not discover the cancellation. I contacted another WINZ employee who immediately reinstated Sheryl's "Favourite Places" allowance and paid arrears.
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There's still more! The cunning ploys used by senior Work and Income staff to disadvantage the disadvantaged have no boundaries. Recently I obtained an advance on our benefit to purchase a new washing machine. The agreed repayment to was $8 dollars a week. But instead of $8 the Department deducted $28. Neither am I the only one upon which this type of 'excellent' service has been applied. The indications are that Peter Ireland, a roving WINZ Service Centre Manager, is responsible for this betrayal of trust - as I had accepted, in good faith, the word of my case manager that $8 a week was the amount to be deducted. I am certain that if I had not brought the matter to the attention of our new case manager the $28 would have remained. Anyway I was told that as from next payday the correct amount would be deducted. I was also informed that the fault lay with the computer - yeah right! I believe Mr Ireland has worked for the New Zealand Police. I have never yet met a man or a woman who worked for the police to be other than honest and fair in their dealings with the public. So I am mystified as to why he would breach trust with beneficiaries by increasing the pre-determined repayment amount for a benefit advance. It appears that Peter Ireland could be one of WINZ' roving hit men. In recent days he has worked in the Otaki and Levin office's and is at present the temporary Service Centre Manager of the Foxton branch. On the 10th of July I wrote to the CEO of the Ministry of Social Development, Peter Hughes, and requested the resignation of Peter Ireland. I have stated before that Work and Income are law unto themselves, so I fully expect to see Peter Ireland still a Service Centre Manager with its good pay and fringe benefits, such as bonus's, a year from now. I remember the public outrage at WINZ spending taxpayer's money on parties and holiday's for its staff. This was during the reign of a previous CEO of Work and Income NZ, Christine Rankin. She expressed delight with the excellent performance of staff and gave this excellence as the reason for granting her staff bonus's, free trips and holiday's. Funds 'stolen' from beneficiaries It is obvious that the funds came from an account which hold funds which were entitlements denied sick and disabled New Zealanders.
I have since discovered that Peter Ireland is a Service Centre Manager of another WINZ branch about 75 kilometers from our home. It is difficult for me to accept that once again a Work and Income NZ Service Centre Manager has clearly gone out of his way to conceal the fact that such an important medical treatment for a chronically ill person had not been reinstated as promised by the CEO of the Ministry of Social Development. This is the Ministry's third clear breach of trust with Sheryl. There may be a point when these breaches of trust by the Attorney-General, will have to be addressed in a court of law, pursuant to the Crown Proceedings Act. There is no doubt that this type of tricky-dickey stuff (not providing information when asked until compelled to comply) is but another ploy of Work and Income to deny sick and disabled persons their lawful entitlement to disability assistance. Many give up It is common for sick and disabled persons to give up their struggle in a similar situation as Sheryl's and as a consequence have lost out on their entitlements forever. There may also be a case for breach of trust pursuant to the Crown Proceedings Act 1950. Address your complaints about poor service to:
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Prophecy
“Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old. behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, and you will most certainly hear of it. For I will even make a smooth path in the wildest of places. Rivers will run as clear as crystal. Even in the driest of deserts to give drink to my people, to Israel my chosen.” Isaiah 43:18—21 The word of the lord came to me saying, “Son of man, go and speak to my people whom I have named 'Israel', and say to them: “Try not to think of the things that are in the past. that is, the things that upset you and caused you to be unhappy. For those troubles are behind thee, saith the Lord. Remember some of the pleasant situations you have been in. Consider the many benefits which I have given thee. If you stop for a moment and allow your mind to dwell on good things; thy soul shall be lifted up and you will find it easy to offer a sacrifice of praise toward my sanctuary”.
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End
of prophecy