New Zealand's new right-wing government has decided to get tough on beneficiaries (people who receive weekly payments from the government to support themselves, due to unemployment, sickness, solo parenting, etc.) in order to save a bit of cash. I could be in trouble here, cos my benefit is due to be reviewed in a few months time, and I may no longer qualify. In the past, my doctor wrote "major depressive disorder" as the reason I could not work, because that was my diagnosis at the time. But now my diagnoses have changed. I no longer have "major depressive disorder"; I have "poly-substance dependence" and "borderline personality disorder."
I heard somewhere that personality disorders don't qualify someone for a benefit, and while drug dependence has been a valid reason, it may not be any more if the government has their way. So if they cut my benefit, what do they expect me to do? And how do they expect me to survive? There are very few jobs available at the moment, and I'd be the last person an employer would hire due to my criminal record and total lack of work experience or qualifications. If I get shifted onto the unemployment benefit cos the government no longer considers drug addicts worthy of the sickness benefit, I'll be on it for a very long time, and regularly questioned about why I haven't found a job. Shit, maybe I'll just have to start dealing drugs instead! 8)
I heard somewhere that personality disorders don't qualify someone for a benefit, and while drug dependence has been a valid reason, it may not be any more if the government has their way. So if they cut my benefit, what do they expect me to do? And how do they expect me to survive? There are very few jobs available at the moment, and I'd be the last person an employer would hire due to my criminal record and total lack of work experience or qualifications. If I get shifted onto the unemployment benefit cos the government no longer considers drug addicts worthy of the sickness benefit, I'll be on it for a very long time, and regularly questioned about why I haven't found a job. Shit, maybe I'll just have to start dealing drugs instead! 8)
