Help for young mum defended

Work and Income has defended its support for a Christchurch mother fighting cancer who was refused a grant to buy clothes for her baby.

Bonnie Avery, 20, was refused a special-needs grant in April to buy clothes for baby Cordae.

She has since been diagnosed with a malignant tumour and is undergoing chemotherapy.

She felt aggrieved about the grant refusal after revelations this week that former gang leader Darryl Harris was given special-needs grants for a swimming-pool fence and car tyres.

Work and Income deputy chief executive Isabel Evans said yesterday the department was doing all it could to help Avery, who had received extra assistance five times since May.

"I can't begin to imagine how tough things have been for Bonnie," Evans said.

"No-one would want to be in her situation, and Work and Income staff have been working hard to support her over the past eight months.

"It is wrong and unfair to suggest otherwise, and it does surprise me to read what has been reported about her case. We have provided the maximum amount of support she is entitled to and used our discretion to go beyond this.

"When she told us about her cancer in November, her circumstances changed, so again we stepped in to help."

Avery said Work and Income was not doing all it could for her.

"All I asked for was my son to be clothed. I think that they could be doing more for me and my child," she said.

"I don't think they are sympathetic at all."

Evans said the $200 clothing grant approved for Avery on Tuesday was not granted in response to Avery contacting the media.

"We approved a clothing grant for Bonnie because she phoned us and needed help," she said. "Had she asked for our help earlier, she would have got it.

"It is wrong to say that we granted her assistance because of pressure from the media."

Evans said Work and Income worked with other community groups to find Avery help.

"I have every sympathy for Bonnie and her situation.

"We will continue to do everything we can to help her and her young child," she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News