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Tuesday, 31 March 2020, 12:59 pmPress Release: Auckland Action Against Poverty

Auckland Action Against Poverty is calling on theGovernment to grant people who do not meet the residentialrequirements access to benefits so that everyone can have aroof over their head and follow the Alert Level 4 Covid-19guidelines. We are asking:

- That the Governmentapplies Section64 of the Social Security Act (Emergency Benefit: grantduring epidemic in New Zealand) so that migrantswho have lost their employment or are stranded in thecountry can access emergency benefitpayments.

- Introduce regulations sothat the emergency benefit rate is set on par at theequivalent rate of the main benefit type that MSD wouldgrant to a person entitled to the benefit incircumstances where they would qualify.

- For theMinister of Social Development to apply Section 64 for aperiod of at least 6 months.

- Increase baselinebenefits to liveable levels.

People who do not havea source of income to put a roof over their head or accessto food wont be able to Stay at home and follow theAlert Level 4 Covid-19 guidelines. Migrant communities areat risk of facing severe economic hardship due to loss ofemployment and the inability to return to their homecountries due to travel restrictions around the world,says Brooke Fiafia, Auckland Action AgainstSpokesperson.

We are calling on the Government toapply Section 64 of the Social Security Act to granteveryone access to emergency benefits, and to setthe emergency benefit rate at the equivalent rate of themain benefit type that MSD would grant to a person entitledto the benefit in circumstances similar to theperson.

The Government has an opportunityto show leadership and good-will internationally by ensuringthat migrant communities in New Zealand have access toincome support during these times of crisis. We hope thiswill help foster reciprocity by overseas Governments andencourage them to grant welfare assistance to New Zealandcitizens overseas.

The more support we provide topeople to ensure they can follow the Alert Level 4 Covid-19guidelines, the sooner well come out of it. Providingadequate housing and income support for the homeless,migrant workers, and low-income families means we can remainunited in the fight againstCOVID-19.

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Migrants Need Access To Benefits Considering COVID-19 Crisis - Scoop.co.nz