It’s hard for me to speak on behalf of the government. However, some members could inspire me through their questions.
It is important to keep in mind that 52 weeks represents the opportunity to recover completely. Offering benefits for 26 weeks will help people for 26 weeks. If someone needs 15 more weeks and doesn’t have savings or family to help them, what are they supposed to do? They’ll get a notice from a bailiff because they won’t have paid their rent. Or they won’t be able to pay the mortgage. If a person is sick or bedridden, that’s not easy to face.
There’s no denying it: benefits are the equivalent of 55% of one’s salary. An individual earning $700-$800 a week, or whose gross income is $1000, will only get $550 a week. They’re already short of money.
Furthermore, a study proved that a person who is ill pays between $20,000 and $25,000 more per year. There are many costs, in fact, including those for medication, travel and hospital parking. That person doesn’t get their entire salary but has to pay more. They don’t have the time or the strength to work. That’s why it is necessary to give them a little help.