Japan Press Weekly

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2011 June 8 - 14 [WELFARE]

Welfare benefits cut off after receiving compensation

Fukushima’s Minamisoma City government is cutting off livelihood protection benefits the city has provided to needy families because they received disaster relief money and temporary compensation from TEPCO.

At a loss for what to do, families in need are going to city assemblywoman of the Japanese Communist Party Araki Chieko for help.

A couple complained that the city office discontinued their public assistance payments at the end of May by designating their disaster relief money as income. “We will return the money. So, please, do not cut off our welfare benefits,” pleaded the couple.

The 70-year-old husband said, “TEPCO’s temporary compensation is only provisional. We don’t need that money but we rely on the continuation of our livelihood protection.” He has a bad heart and his gallbladder was removed in surgery. He needs to see a doctor every month for medication. His 68-year-old wife also needs to visit the hospital regularly after she underwent a colon cancer operation.

At the House of Representatives welfare committee meeting on April 13, JCP Dietmember Akamine Seiken urged the government to not designate disaster relief money as income of households on welfare. In response to this, Welfare Minister Hosokawa Ritsuo answered, “The relief money will be excluded from the income category.”

The Minamisoma City JCP assemblywoman said, “Termination of public assistance because of the receipt of relief money contradicts what the minister said.” She will hold discussions with the city government on June 10 to redress the measure.