NZ$10 carrot for teen parenting course

Govt to offer teen beneficiaries carrot of NZ$10 extra per week for completing 6 mths of training or education, or budgeting, parenting courses

27th Feb 12, 5:22pm by Alex Tarrant

Teen beneficiaries will be offered the financial incentive of an extra NZ$10 per week for completing six months of education or training, or for completing a budgeting course, under new welfare rules proposed by the government.

Teen parents will also have their benefits increased NZ$10 a week for completing a parenting course, Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett announced today.

Bennett and Prime Minister John Key today fleshed out further details of the National Party's election promise to reform New Zealand's welfare system by putting tougher requirements on beneficiaries to seek work, and placing tighter controls on teen beneficiaries.

The reforms will mean the current Independent Youth Benefit and Emergency Maintenence Allowance for 16 and 17 year-olds will be renamed the 'Youth Payment', while the Domestic Purposes Benefit for 16 to 18 year-old parents, and the Emergency Maintenance Allowance for them, will be renamed the 'Young Parent Benefit'.

A total 1,700 teens are expected to be on the Youth Payment, while a further 1,065 would be on the Young Parent Payment, Ministry of Social Development figures show.

Changes will see private providers managing benefit payments to people in these two groups, with essential costs like rent and power paid directly by these providers from a person's benefit. Money for living costs would be loaded on to a special payment card, and a small amount would given as an in-hand allowance, Bennett said.

Young people needing financial support would be expected to be in education or training, Bennett said.

"Young people can earn incentives of NZ$10 a week for completing six months of education or training or by completing a budgeting course. Young parents can earn a further NZ$10 a week for completing a parenting course," Bennett said.

We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment

Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.

4 Comments

by Chris-M | 27th Feb 12, 6:19pm 1330319996

I wonder if they will be transfered from the benefit to a student loan while attending courses?

by Kate | 27th Feb 12, 6:26pm 1330320400

Changes will see private providers managing benefit payments to people in these two groups, with essential costs like rent and power paid directly by these providers from a person's benefit. Money for living costs would be loaded on to a special payment card, and a small amount would given as an in-hand allowance, Bennett said.

So, we're following the US lead - where for example, JP Morgan is contracted to provide the food stamp and other benefit debit card programmes;

The More Americans That Go On Food Stamps The More Money JP Morgan Makes

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/the-more-americans-that-go-on-food-stamps-the-more-money-jp-morgan-makes

by Wolly | 28th Feb 12, 7:03am 1330365802

It's a BRIBE payment to get youth off the street and into classrooms, where they can collect more money by being 'good students'

It includes a cost for the administration of the new benefit. You can be sure those running it will make sure demand grows and grows.

"Please please come to school...we will give you money for doing so....we got the money off the parents of those children who do go to school...yes ..if you behave.. we will give you more money..."

Watch as whole school regions see entire student rolls move across to receive the $30 a week each.

Meanwhile in Singapore the students apply themselves industriously because they know without an education they cannot hope to earn a good income...and the really nasty little shites get a dose of the cane, which sorts them out real quick.

by Nic the NZer | 28th Feb 12, 8:04am 1330369470

Its too late, the end is nigh, the anti-smacking laws have doomed us all. Damn you Sue Bradford, why can't you respect the law of unintended consequences.