Having gone from a well paid job to the sickness benefit I am shocked at the low level of payment.
The minimum wage is $13-75ph and Wellington City Council is paying its workers and contractors a 'liveable rate of $18ph”.
I did not expect to be paid the same or similar amount as my job paid, but $7.45ph is bloody insulting. This includes all and any extras I am eligible for.
Being on a sickness benefit is not something you can plan for, it is different to a unemployment benefit. On the unemployment benefit you can look for work or get casual work to top up your benefit. On the sickness benefit this is not an option.
I am a 62-year-old and I can tell you that it is a miserable way to spend the so-called 'twilight years”.

W Parker, Tauranga.