We ran a survey to hear from you about the changes to Whaikaha and the Traffic Light System put in place by Work and Income.

We have already reported on the resulting questions for Whaikaha, along with the response from Whaikaha. We now turn to reporting back on your responses about the Traffic Light System.

The survey was open to DPA members, disabled people, and their family and whānau. It ran from 15 August to 2 September, and we received 168 responses.

Level of concern

Most respondents who will be affected by the Traffic Light System reported a high level of concern with 85% expressing a concern of 7/10 or more and an average level of 8.7/10 of concern expressed - where 1 is "not very concerned" and 10 is "very concerned". 

Key themes

Need for greater clarity and more information
Many respondents wanted more information and greater clarity about the Traffic Light System.

“What is a traffic light system? What does this actually mean? What implications could it have?”

“I'm on Supported Living Payment and it's unclear to me whether they're adding new obligations to that benefit”

“I am confused and anxious about the changes to supported living payment obligations. What are the new work ability assessments? Will these override what medical professionals have deemed my working ability?”

Anxiety, fear of unfair sanctions or cuts to benefits
A large number of people highlighted that they were anxious and afraid of having their benefit or support cut. 

“I am on the SLP so seeing it on the traffic light system gives me severe anxiety that some Winz [Work and Income] worker with no experience with disability will decide to punish me. Potentially leaving me destitute and homeless.”

“I'm concerned about missing an obligation due to my chronic illness and being sanctioned while I'm too sick to do anything about it.” 

“I’m scared they will cut our supports because they think my child isn’t disabled enough.”

System does not recognise barriers to employment/accessibility for disabled people
Many people highlighted the barriers to employment that disabled people face and the emotional pressure of continually being expected to apply for jobs that they cannot get. 

“Because I care for a teenager who has a [impairment] and [impairment]. Whilst we are trying to get them a job the employment market and potential to get a job is nonexistent. Constantly declined or just one of many applicants. We thought putting them on the job seekers allowance would help gain employment. Not so. Traffic light system will put emotional pressure on a person who would struggle with the constant changes and expectations.”

Need for staff to be trained in disability responsiveness
Many people highlighted the need for disability responsiveness training for all MSD/WINZ staff.
 
“I am concerned for those still on the jobseeker with medical deferment because I’ve been there and the attitude and mindset of MSD staff and the culture of the organisation is of no help to anyone in [the] disability sector.Their employment staff only tick box on one job opportunity to show they did something.Then try to refer you ... because they are not trained to assist and simply can’t be bothered. Which leaves people vulnerable to the traffic light system by default.”

Significant anxiety about having more hoops to jump through when accessing benefits as the process is already hard
Many people highlighted that the process of getting a benefit was already hard and that making it harder still was both unfair and counterproductive.
 
“It is not an easy process to get onto the SLP ... people are vulnerable, often ill or disabled and are under huge pressure just to deal with the daily tasks of surviving and most experience great hardship with life pressures ... If we have already proven [via our Dr's certificates] that we can't work, then why are they adding to the pressure and anxieties that these people are living with by adding the traffic light system for them?”
 
“It is not going to change anything except adding unnecessary paperwork and having the Govt pay for WINZ workers to fill in this unnecessary paper ... what a waste of everyone's time, energy and taxpayers’ money.”

Thank you

DPA would like to thank to everyone who took the time to answer the survey.

We will be sharing the results of our survey with relevant government officials and will be seeking other avenues to advocate on behalf of our members and the disability community on the key issue of income including benefits, and employment.