Social Welfare reviews

Press, 16 June 1982, Page 24

Social Welfare reviews

Sir,—lt seems irrational to me that only unemployment beneficiaries are intensely reviewed by the Social Welfare Department. If it is because of adverse public opinion or lack of resources surely the unemployment beneficiary,may feel he is a victim of an unfair system. I would have thought the recent quality control programme conducted by the Social Welfare Department highlighting anomalies in. the system would mean all beneficiaries be reviewed in an equal manner. Until this happens how can the system be competent? — Yours, etc., m. j. McGillivray. ‘ June 2, 1982.

[Mr M. A. Brown, acting assistant director, benefits and pensions division, Department of Social Welfare, Christchurch, replies: “The correspondent is mistaken in suggesting that only unemployment benefits are subject to an intensive review. All benefits are subject to review and with the exception of family benefit, miner’s benefit and some national superannuation benefits, are subject to annual renewal. Expenditure on benefits is a . large proportion of Government expenditure and the department , is required to ensure that benefits are paid at the correct rate to those who have established entitlement. The procedures adopted at review or renewal cause the least inconvenience possible, and are designed to ensure that continuity of payment is not interrupted.”]