4 Jul 2018

Ruling on beneficiary's loans a landmark decision - advocates

From Morning Report, 6:45 am on 4 July 2018

A High Court ruling that bank loans and credit card debt can't be considered part of a beneficiary's income is being hailed as a landmark decision with huge implications. The Ministry for Social Development has lost its battle to recover more than $100,000 from a woman it claimed was overpaid because she borrowed money while on the benefit. Lawyers and advocacy groups now want the government to call a halt to any other similar cases. Susan St John from the Child Poverty Action Group told RNZ reporter Nita Blake-Persen the court decision is a huge relief.