How much money do people on benefits really get?

[Lilith7]

That survey was some years ago- 50 homeless people in Vancouver were given $7,500 in a lump sum, their outcome was compared with homeless people not given money. Those who got the lump sum spent it on rent,transit,food & durable goods such as furniture or clothing.

Those responsible also ran a survey asking what people thought the group would spend the money on. Most (80%) said they'd spend it on alcohol or other drugs, & cigarettes. They were then asked 'what if its you who's homeless,wehat would you spend it on? The percentiage of those saying it would be spent negatively went down significantly.

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I enjoy listening to him, he has common sense and expertise on the subject which makes him worth the focus. One of the best bits from yesterday's appearance on Q&A for me was him asking why we treat old people - on super - differently from young people on job seeker benefits, pointing out that both support payments are social welfare benefits. And while I get the reality that being young and healthy is different from being old and prone to health challenges, the fact is people are people, and treating the over 65s with more financial and social respect just because of a birthday is a holdover from the days when pensions were something very different to the super we get today.

As one of the wealthiest countries on the planet, with such a small population, seems to me transitioning to a UBI with needs based boosts would be not just logical, but a way to increase productivity and work towards eliminating poverty and homelessness, especially now we have Kiwisaver firmly in place.

This study is interesting - https://theconversation.com/we-gave-7-50...ext-212960

The cynical might say that part of the reason is that older people tend to vote, where younger people, particularly beneficiaries, don't.

Another good reason to teach kids civics in high school.