Source: Radio New Zealand
Those missing out on the government’s fuel package still face having to cut back on essentials to fill the petrol tank. File photo. RNZ / Nick Monro
People who are not eligible for the government’s fuel relief package – including beneficiaries or those living in rural communities with no children – say it is a “kick in the guts”.
The government announced on Tuesday that more than 140,000 working families with children will get an extra $50 a week to help counter rising fuel prices, with another 14,000 families qualifying for a part payment.
The government said the payment will target those struggling the most, but people living by themselves, without children, receiving the pension and living rurally feel as though they have been squeezed out.
A Christchurch single mother – who works part-time and receives a benefit – said she was left with just $93 for food after her bills were paid and her petrol tank was filled up.
“That doesn’t even take into account if someone needs a pair of shoes, or the car breaks down. $93 is all that is left over, with this increase in petrol.”
Sarah* said the $50 boost would have made a big difference to her family.
“It means that you’re constantly having to mentally juggle what choices you can make and what you can afford. Everything has to be calculated because it is so expensive.
“You end up eating the same thing over and over and having to make a batch of bolognese and that just goes for a whole week.
“My poor daughter has to moan and groan because there’s hardly any food for lunch boxes.”
In the past three weeks, Sarah has had no choice but to go to her local food bank, twice.
“We don’t buy takeaways at all, so there’s no stopping for an ice-cream on the way home, obviously the ability to buy clothes is non-existent.
“I had to buy my daughter a pair of sports shoes on Sunday, that money had come out of the power and internet that’s due, so I have to find that somewhere which is probably going to come out of food.”
A mum living in rural Mid-Canterbury, who did not want to be named, said she has to drive more than 100 kilometres each way to get to work, costing her $180 per tank of petrol.
But because she and her partner’s combined income added up to $130,000, they were just over the threshold to get the $50 boost.
“We’ve cut the shopping bill, luckily we have a decent amount of land, so we grow our own fruit and vegetables.
“But there will be more of a focus on growing as much of a winter crop as we can, although we are an alpine village so we get a lot of snow, so that cuts down on what we can grow.”
A woman living in rural Otago – who also did not want to be named – receives the pension and works part time, alongside caring for her elderly mother.
She has to drive 20 kilometres into town often to take her mother to her GP appointments, but it meant she would have to cut down on other things to be able to afford petrol for the week.
“It will be like blankets and jerseys and going to bed early, rather than having the heating on, but here down south it does get pretty cold in winter.”
Louise Upston says beneficiaries should talk to their case manager about any challenges they face. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston was asked on Tuesday at Parliament about the assistance beneficiaries can access if they were struggling with fuel costs.
“One of the requirements at the moment is that they are fulfilling their obligations and if they have challenges meeting, for example, fuel costs, there is assistance available through MSD.
“I would always expect them to be talking to their case manager and to MSD about any challenges they face.”
But Sarah said it felt like a kick in the guts that the government had not taken single people and retirees into account.
“I just thought that was so offensive and a kick in the guts to block out, especially single parents who do work part-time, as non-working Kiwis.
“What’s the problem in supporting a parent to be a good parent? Is that not a form of work? I think to be excluded from that bracket was just so uncaring and humiliating.
“It feels like the sentiment is that being on a benefit is a choice, when it’s not a choice.”
The temporary $50 top up is being delivered through a boost in the in-work tax credit starting from April.
It is set to last a year or until the price of 91 octane petrol drops below $3 a litre for four consecutive weeks.
*Name changed to protect identity
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
