Dole rules look set to get stricter with the Government
signalling a crackdown on fraud and considering a shorter
reapplication period for the benefit.
Figures released yesterday showed 7400 people had dropped off
the unemployment benefit after the Government introduced a
policy in September requiring people to reapply every 12
months.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said about half of
the 7400 did not complete the process, more than 2000 were in
work and 1400 had left the country, were studying or just
failed the work test.
"There's a number of different circumstances that would lead
to people being on the unemployment benefit when perhaps they
shouldn't be," Ms Bennett told reporters today.
"If your circumstances change, letting Work and Income know
is not always foremost in your mind, although it should be,
but actually having to refill out an application process and
sign that as being your correct and accurate details often
leads people to going off the benefit."
Ms Bennett said the Government was looking at tightening
rules further, and would consider shortening the
reapplication requirement to nine months.
"At the moment we are sticking with the 12 months, but I do
think it's worth us looking at it further," she said.
"Also just looking at how we address fraud, how we make sure
that those people who are on a benefit should be there."
Ms Bennett said there was a difference between overpayments
and fraud, and there was some grey areas over what
constituted fraud.
"But I think New Zealanders are sort of standing up and
saying we want to see this addressed a bit better," she said.
"Most of the fraud we get reported to us, to the 0800 number,
is relationship fraud. That's really difficult to prove but
it's certainly an area that we're looking at."
Ms Bennett said she could not put a figure on how many of the
recent cases might have been fraud.
"I've certainly got the department investigating further, but
in general I would say their circumstances have changed and
they haven't let us know.
"Whether that's a couple of days, or a couple of weeks, or a
couple of months is what I think we need to look at closer."
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.