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 ⁉️
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.
👍 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.