The impact that this could have is tremendous. As you know Bex, I've just completed my final masters project with a focus on whānau violence and disability. I'm awaiting grades before I seek to publish, but I did manage to back up an argument with evidence that the disproportionately high rates of violence perpetrated against disabled people are exacerbated by the state imposing conditions of dependence on those surviving violence. In my opinion when you depend financially and logistically on an abuser for nearly every aspect of your life, and the state policy setting does not give you alternative options, the abuse becomes state-sanctioned. Simply treating SLP like the pension would go a long way towards giving disabled people the freedom to live without violence.
this is such an important point - and under researched too. It is very difficult to gain an idea of just how many people this impacts, as I don’t think the state even keeps track of the relevant stats in any way?
I absolutely support improving the Supported Living Allowance.
Some of us in the Young-onset Dementia community are exploring an early medical retirement pension equivalent to National Superannuation. This article about Jacqui and Kevin shows why the current allowance is unfit for people with Young-onset Dementia and their whānau:
Jacqui and I have both been working on this, although I have parked it while I focus on another YOD advocacy project. For many of the 6,800 people in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s with Young-onset Dementia, early access to National Superannuation would support dignity and help their whānau.
From what I have learnt, using median income as a benchmark, the Supported Living Allowance is around 29 per cent. Other countries already provide early medical retirement for people with YOD and other chronic, progressive, incurable conditions that shorten life expectancy. The most progressive models are about 75 per cent of median income, although comparisons are not straightforward.
I hope to publish a Substack article on this, now in first draft, soon, once the current project dies down.
🤔 Makes complete sense on every level - importantly for people having maximum independence but also for a govt determined to cut cost via less govt employees, ie NOT having to constantly harass (!) the disabled about their income fluctuations 🤷 And the extra point above about people being forced to stay in bad situations is the icing on the cake 😱 Less costs for dealing with the violence (Health, Police, Social Welfare etc) for the bean counters to consider ⁉️
I've just come across your article, which has been very interesting to read. Thank you.
I'm midlife, living with Parkinson's and in a relationship of 22 years. I'm finding it a real personal struggle to maintain a personal existence while essentially living penniless with no MSD support.
I am currently petitioning the House of Representatives to amend the Social Security Act 2018 and the Health Entitlement Card Regulations 1993.
I would love any support you can help with. I don't know what I am doing.
My goal is to ensure that the
following supports are assessed on an individual basis, regardless of a partner’s income:
✅️ Community Services Card: To ensure affordable access to GPs and prescriptions.
✅️ Disability Allowance: To cover the actual, ongoing costs of living with a disability.
✅️ Supported Living Payment: To provide financial dignity and individual income.
I want New Zealanders living with a disability or chronic illness to Decouple from government joint income testing measures.'
1️⃣ SIGN: Our official Parliament Petition is LIVE. Every signature is a message to the Beehive.
Just reading this now. And this is why I’m in the situation where I’m stuck fighting my ex who has put every asset - home, vehicles, and all furniture in his trust. I could work some of the time but not a lot. There was severe financial abuse towards the end and if I’d had this payment for my chronic illnesses things would not have been so dire.
Dr Bex, I’d like to ask how people on Supported Living Payment can invest or save up for a First Home as currently the restrictions on the Supported Living Payment are very restrictive and also on Facebook, there is a group of people who are on the SLP and are trying to save up for a first home deposit and some of them are even trying investing to make ends meet
The ‘older blind gentleman’ has more vision than any Ministry. I hope Priyanca Radhakrishnan was listening
The impact that this could have is tremendous. As you know Bex, I've just completed my final masters project with a focus on whānau violence and disability. I'm awaiting grades before I seek to publish, but I did manage to back up an argument with evidence that the disproportionately high rates of violence perpetrated against disabled people are exacerbated by the state imposing conditions of dependence on those surviving violence. In my opinion when you depend financially and logistically on an abuser for nearly every aspect of your life, and the state policy setting does not give you alternative options, the abuse becomes state-sanctioned. Simply treating SLP like the pension would go a long way towards giving disabled people the freedom to live without violence.
this is such an important point - and under researched too. It is very difficult to gain an idea of just how many people this impacts, as I don’t think the state even keeps track of the relevant stats in any way?
There are stats but like always they're piecemeal and flawed and hard to interpret.
40,000 Kiwis.
I'm no Mathematician and a lot of my writing andc research is during my Parkinson's insomnia hours.
But attached below is how I calculated it... that's people who are in a relationship and denied MSD assistance due to joint-income testing...:
https://decouple.nz/the-forgotten
Regards Ricky
👍 Great point & one I hadn't realised - hope your findings get some publicity & shared widely.
I absolutely support improving the Supported Living Allowance.
Some of us in the Young-onset Dementia community are exploring an early medical retirement pension equivalent to National Superannuation. This article about Jacqui and Kevin shows why the current allowance is unfit for people with Young-onset Dementia and their whānau:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/papamoa-familys-heartbreak-with-young-onset-dementia/X4SYVVEUCVDJZM4HQM4TISV2Q4/
Jacqui and I have both been working on this, although I have parked it while I focus on another YOD advocacy project. For many of the 6,800 people in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s with Young-onset Dementia, early access to National Superannuation would support dignity and help their whānau.
From what I have learnt, using median income as a benchmark, the Supported Living Allowance is around 29 per cent. Other countries already provide early medical retirement for people with YOD and other chronic, progressive, incurable conditions that shorten life expectancy. The most progressive models are about 75 per cent of median income, although comparisons are not straightforward.
I hope to publish a Substack article on this, now in first draft, soon, once the current project dies down.
Sounds like we are very much on the same page here, 100%!!
👍🫂 Makes sense - keep up the good work in this space in what is acknowledged as a growing "problem" society is having to address.
Thanks for your support. It is going to take a whole community effort to shift our politicians on this one.
I would go further and go for a UBI. Adjust tax rates so the rich don’t benefit. Much simpler to administer
Maybe doing this for the disabled is a stepping stone in that direction
🤔 Makes complete sense on every level - importantly for people having maximum independence but also for a govt determined to cut cost via less govt employees, ie NOT having to constantly harass (!) the disabled about their income fluctuations 🤷 And the extra point above about people being forced to stay in bad situations is the icing on the cake 😱 Less costs for dealing with the violence (Health, Police, Social Welfare etc) for the bean counters to consider ⁉️
https://www.facebook.com/groups/171564126882442/permalink/1706466090058897
this is the answer to your question and why the Greens want ACC reform to remove all you said in your post.
Hi Dr Bex
I've just come across your article, which has been very interesting to read. Thank you.
I'm midlife, living with Parkinson's and in a relationship of 22 years. I'm finding it a real personal struggle to maintain a personal existence while essentially living penniless with no MSD support.
I am currently petitioning the House of Representatives to amend the Social Security Act 2018 and the Health Entitlement Card Regulations 1993.
I would love any support you can help with. I don't know what I am doing.
My goal is to ensure that the
following supports are assessed on an individual basis, regardless of a partner’s income:
✅️ Community Services Card: To ensure affordable access to GPs and prescriptions.
✅️ Disability Allowance: To cover the actual, ongoing costs of living with a disability.
✅️ Supported Living Payment: To provide financial dignity and individual income.
I want New Zealanders living with a disability or chronic illness to Decouple from government joint income testing measures.'
1️⃣ SIGN: Our official Parliament Petition is LIVE. Every signature is a message to the Beehive.
👉https://petitions.parliament.nz/0e32836b-6256-4bc6-68c9-08de843eac70
2️⃣ LEARN: Explore the data and the real costs of the "Glitch" at our website.
👉 www.DeCouple.NZ
3️⃣ FOLLOW: Our Facebook page for updates, policy deep-dives, and election-year advocacy.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1KyFM39qGT/
Many thanks .
Regards Ricky
Just reading this now. And this is why I’m in the situation where I’m stuck fighting my ex who has put every asset - home, vehicles, and all furniture in his trust. I could work some of the time but not a lot. There was severe financial abuse towards the end and if I’d had this payment for my chronic illnesses things would not have been so dire.
Dr Bex, I’d like to ask how people on Supported Living Payment can invest or save up for a First Home as currently the restrictions on the Supported Living Payment are very restrictive and also on Facebook, there is a group of people who are on the SLP and are trying to save up for a first home deposit and some of them are even trying investing to make ends meet
A UBI would be so much easier and simpler