Thousands to receive new assessment and job plans.
The New Zealand government has announced a major overhaul of its support services for those on benefits. Up to 70,000 job seekers will now be eligible for a comprehensive needs assessment and a personalized job plan to help them overcome the challenges holding them back from finding work.
According to Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston, the new system is designed to provide welfare that works for all New Zealanders. The government aims to reduce the number of people on Jobseeker Support by 50,000 by 2030. To achieve this, MSD has introduced phone-based case management, which will now support 10,000 people, an increase from just 1,500 in July.
The new assessment and job plans will examine education, transport, addiction, health, and childcare issues that may be affecting a person's employability. Case managers will work with individuals to construct personalized plans of agreed actions to address these issues. Those who don't fulfill their commitments could face sanctions through the Traffic Light System.
This increased support is part of the government's focus on better public services. Minister Upston emphasizes that those receiving this support will have a responsibility to fulfill their obligations, highlighting the importance of addressing the root causes of welfare dependency and helping individuals move towards fulfilling careers.