Livelihood protection In order not to give up the necessary support

Livelihood protection April 6, 16:03 to not give up the necessary support

"I lost my job with the new Corona and I have no savings. I can't live with my 3-year-old daughter."

A single mother's tweet that she couldn't apply for welfare was received.

When I first visited the counter, I couldn't apply and gave up, but I was able to apply for it on the second visit with the help of a supporter, which led to my receipt.

Interview with the woman at the application window and think about what happened and what the challenges are for the application.

(Reporter, Network News Department, Soraya Sugimoto, Aya Noda)

Gave up the application

This February, a post on SNS about welfare was a hit.

I posted a 28-year-old single mother who lives with her 3-year-old daughter.

When I applied for welfare, I was introduced to my job, and I went to Hello Work and had an interview, but even if I explained that the current situation is harsh, I said, "I have to make a concession!" From the top of the mystery ...

The woman is said to have given up on the application.

Looking at the reaction to the post, the ones that are close to women stand out.

On the other hand, there was also an opinion that "I may have told you that you have an obligation to look for a job."

Work in Corona ...

When I contacted the woman, she told me how to apply.

Until January this year, I was working as a customer service at a restaurant in a downtown area.

My daughter worked in a daycare center at night because she had no family or friends to rely on.

Childcare costs about 70,000 a month, and life is not easy.

The existence of my daughter was my support.

However, due to the impact of the new Corona, the number of customers in the store has dropped sharply.

"Sorry, at the end of this month ..." The

store manager told me that, and I lost my job at the end of January.

I can't find a job

From February, I went to Hello Work and had many hiring interviews.

However, I couldn't find a workplace that was compatible with raising children.

In addition, I was worried about my physical condition.

From an early age, he was weak and suffered from nausea and dizziness associated with migraines, and sometimes he could not get up from bed, and doctors said he was suspected of having autonomic imbalance.

I was also receiving public support measures such as child-rearing allowances and temporary benefits, but as of mid-February, when I paid the rent for the apartment, the deposit was less than 10,000 yen.

The money I have is now several thousand yen.

"I wonder if I can live with this child next month," I was full of anxiety and impatience.

Around this time, the Diet was discussing how to support people who are having trouble living due to the corona sickness, so I also investigated welfare.

The website of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare stated, "Application for livelihood protection is a national right. Please do not hesitate to contact us."

I went to the window of the government office thinking that I

might be able to receive support

.

I was introduced to my job at the counter ...

We talked to a woman about how she was doing at the time of this first application.

It is said that a female staff member responded at the counter.

He said, "I came to apply for welfare," and explained how he lost his job and his anxiety about his physical condition.

I talked about how difficult it is to find a job that is compatible with raising children.

I thought I could apply for welfare immediately.

Then, the staff member who responded said, "Did you see the job information properly?" And showed some Hello Work job information.

"There are women who work while raising children here, so it should be okay," the company specifically suggested.

Some of them did not meet the conditions and were already refused hiring, and the woman reiterated her background and anxiety about her physical condition.

The staff said, "I have to give up the conditions that I can give up (in job hunting). Even if I can't find it now, tomorrow has a new job offer."

The woman should have come to apply for welfare, but as the story of the job offer continued, the woman muttered to the staff, "Will the introduction of the job continue as it is?"

Am I not eligible for welfare or am I spoiled?

The woman who thought so gave up the application for this day.

The tweet at the beginning was posted after this.

With the support of supporters

Then, from the response received in the post, I learned about the existence of a support group that accompanies the application for welfare protection and contacted them.

The people of the support group listened carefully and advised me to prepare the ones that show the deposit balance and the rental contract of the apartment.

Then, the next week, I will go to the welfare application window together.

On this day, the staff at the counter was different from the previous one.

The woman said, "I told you last week, but I can't live as it is, so I'd like to apply for welfare," and complained about the rigors of life.

A staff member at the counter said, "Why don't you look for a job a little more? It's more stable in terms of income to decide on a job earlier than to receive welfare protection."

When the woman was about to give up, a support group person stepped in and told the staff in detail about the woman's situation.

Support group

"Women are suspected of having autonomic imbalance, but they cannot afford to go to the hospital right now. I think that they should be in good physical condition while receiving welfare and then support employment. Since it clearly indicates the intention to apply, it may be an infringement of the right to apply. "

After a while, the staff member in charge replied, "I didn't know that I was in such a trouble. I was thinking of encouraging an application if it was a really difficult situation. Are you willing to apply?" , The woman reiterated that she would apply.

The woman was able to apply, and after an interview, she was decided to receive welfare protection.

Helping to find a job at the counter

When I talked to the staff of the coordinator of the counter about this response, I could not answer individual cases.

However, when I came to apply for welfare, I explained my thoughts on introducing jobs and accepting applications.

First of all, when it comes to work, if you have the ability to work, you are encouraging it, and in that case, you are also helping to find a job.

Coordinator staff

"The window not only accepts applications but also supports employment. Of course, there are people who cannot work due to illness. In that case, I ask you to work when you are cured. Individual circumstances are answered. I can't, but in the case of women, I might have tried to help them find a job. "

Consider before receiving the application

Regarding the acceptance of applications, the support system for people who have a difficult life due to the influence of the new corona is expanding, so first check if there is such other support, and then consider life protection. ..

Employee of the coordinator

"Life protection is the last safety net, and there are restrictions that assets cannot be formed, and there are regular interviews, so we are first considering whether we can receive other support. We will consider in detail whether there are any assets that can be used such as deposits and savings before. If you apply and are rejected by the examination, you will be in a situation where you did not meet your expectations. Because it is a constitutional right, you refuse the application I don't have to do it. I would like to come to the consultation anytime and think about how to deal with it together. "

Regarding the fact that the woman could not apply for the first time and gave up, she said, "I'm sorry if the person who came to the counter was perceived as such and misunderstood."

A contact point for women who want to apply immediately to protect their lives and to consider various things before applying.

In the meantime, I felt that my thoughts were born.

“Advance preparation is also important”

Takanori Fujita of the NPO "Hot Plus", a support group, accompanied the application for women.

Mr. Fujita himself considers that there are conspicuous cases, including this case, where the response from the counter is not sufficient.

On top of that, I think it is important for those who apply to prepare in advance.

Fujita's

"If I thought going to receive an application, as well as pay stubs, is a good idea to align the documentation on income, such as pensions and child allowance."

"And by the amount of deposits may not be available the life protection , The amount you can receive may decrease. It is also important to be able to confirm your deposit and savings. "

Also, as a general rule, you have to sell your assets such as cars, but you may be allowed to do so if you need it in your daily life, so you need to be able to explain it properly.

Mr. Fujita

"Everyone has the right to receive welfare protection. Don't worry alone, I want you to consult."

Don't give up the support you need

When visiting the counter, preparing something that can explain the difficult situation is likely to lead to more specific support.

And I think that even at the counter, more polite response is required so that visitors do not give up the necessary support.

The woman who decided to receive the benefits said, "I was relieved that I could live with my child. I am worried about my physical condition, but I want to get a job and rebuild my life so that I do not have to receive welfare protection." I was talking.