Making beneficiaries learn budgeting skills is a good idea - but there's little point if the budgeting services are too overworked to help, a Far North doctor says.
Kaitaia GP Lance O'Sullivan visited hunger-striking invalid beneficiary Sam Kuha last week to offer medical advice and learn about his protest.
Mr Kuha says he has not eaten since September 14 in protest at Work and Income policy that requires beneficiaries to "undertake a budgeting activity" after three special needs grants before they can get another.
The Kaikohe 59-year-old had run out of food and wanted a $40 grant, but would have had to wait two weeks until a budgeter was available. In any case, his income and expenses had not changed since his last budgeting session, he said.
Dr O'Sullivan said poor budgeting skills and financial literacy were real problems for many Northlanders. However, he understood Mr Kuha's frustration, because his patients told him about having to wait three weeks to see a budgeter.