A grandparents' support group is calling on the Ministry of Social Development to lift its game when it comes to coughing up what it owes carers.
Checkpoint heard from a woman caring for her nephew who is owed tens of thousands of dollars in back-dated unsupported child benefit payments from MSD.
Since Checkpoint got involved things have picked up pace and MSD has confirmed the woman will be paid on Friday night.
The agreed payment is understood to total more than $76,000. Social workers and advocacy groups say some MSD case workers give incorrect advice or neglect to tell people what they're entitled to and to get any arrears is a big effort.
Kate Bundle is the boss of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Last financial year they squeezed almost $1 million in IOUs for entitlements out of MSD.
