An advocate who works with beneficiaries says it's "not as easy as just saying 'get a job'" after National promised a welfare crackdown.
National has announced a new system to impose harsher penalties for those not complying with their welfare obligations but the policy has been criticised for punishing Kiwis who are already struggling.
Under the newly proposed system, people in the Green (compliant) category would be meeting their obligations to prepare for or find work and there would be no change to their benefit.
People who have a couple of breaches would be in the Orange (some risk) category and face additional requirements and support. While those in the Red (high-risk) category is for third time offenders who will face sanctions such as benefit reductions, benefit suspension, money management and mandatory community work experience.
The aim is to reduce benefit dependency which National said has surged under a Labour Government. It said there are almost 60,000 more people now on a jobseeker benefit and 35,000 more people who have spent over one year on it when compared with when National left office six years ago.
This is despite low unemployment and businesses crying out for workers, National said.
However, an advocate who works with beneficiaries said harsher penalties are not the answer to helping unemployed Kiwis.
People's Advocate Society volunteer Jeremy Roberts appeared on AM on Wednesday where he questioned why National would want to punish someone financially who was already struggling.
He said many of his clients are people on jobseeker benefits who need extra help.
"We are proactive in helping people to move their lives forward and sure I agree it is a good thing to get off the benefit and into work but some lives are broken, some people have very complex situations - it's not as easy as just saying 'get a job,'" Roberts told co-host Ryan Bridge.
Appearing earlier on the show, National leader Christopher Luxon said he expects only a small number of beneficiaries, under 15 percent, who will be sanctioned under the proposed system. He reiterated that only people who are deemed able to work and aren't putting in effort to either get a job or prepare to get a job will be affected.
"If you are consistently not showing up for job interviews, not taking jobs that are being presented, not doing everything that you can to meet your obligations then I'm sorry you we are going to have some sanctions," Luxon told co-host Laura Tupou.
Roberts said it is not always easy for people to apply for jobs.
"We don't ever see a lazy beneficiary come for help. They're people who are genuinely in need and struggling to navigate the system," he said.
The Green Party has also come out and criticised the policy, calling it "cruel" and "heartless". The party also claims evidence has shown benefit sanctions do not help people.
