Government Bill
241—2
As reported from the Social Services and Community Committee
The Social Services and Community Committee has examined the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Bill and recommends that it be passed. We recommend all amendments unanimously.
This omnibus bill would amend several Acts to enable child support payments administered by Inland Revenue (IR) to be “passed on” (paid) in full to beneficiaries on a sole parent rate of the main benefit (sole parent beneficiaries). Currently, sole parent beneficiaries are required to apply to IR for a formula assessment1 of child support. IR collects these child support payments on behalf of the sole parent beneficiary. Child support payments are retained to offset the cost of that sole parent’s main benefit, and any remainder is paid to the sole parent beneficiary. Most other beneficiaries (such as re-partnered beneficiaries receiving a couple rate of benefit) have their child support payments passed on in full. The bill seeks to remedy this anomaly by passing on child support payments in full to sole parent beneficiaries, excluding recipients of the Unsupported Child’s Benefit (UCB). The bill would also make changes so that the child support passed on is treated as income by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) when calculating entitlements to a benefit and other assistance under the Social Security Act 2018. The bill would also make changes so that child support is charged in line with new specifically designed charging rules for these child support payments.
To accomplish this, the bill would provide for the use of automated systems for charging income, based on an information share agreement between IR and MSD.
It also proposes to allow formula-assessed child support liability to be included as an allowable cost for temporary additional support (TAS). This reflects that these costs are essential and unavoidable, and aligns with the purpose of TAS.
The bill would amend the Child Support Act 1991, the Social Security Act, the Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992, and some regulations and rules made under these Acts.
As part of our consideration of the bill, we have examined its consistency with principles of legislative quality. We have no issues regarding the legislation’s design to bring to the attention of the House.
This commentary covers the main amendments we recommend to the bill as introduced. We do not discuss minor or technical amendments.
Currently, child support payments are paid by IR monthly, whereas benefit payments are paid by MSD either weekly or fortnightly. The bill as introduced would treat monthly child support payments as weekly income by spreading it over a period of four or five weeks. This would be in order to calculate the amount of financial support a sole beneficiary is eligible to receive. However, the bill does not make clear how “information share child support payments” would be treated if benefit payments were suspended and then become payable again within a single child support income charging period. For example, payments to beneficiaries are suspended if they are out of the country.
To address this, we recommend amending clause 46 to insert clause 15AB in Schedule 3 of the Social Security Act. Under our proposed amendment, an “information share child support payment” would continue to be treated as income during a period when benefit payments suspend and then become payable again within a single child support income charging period.
Clause 15AB would also allow information share child support payments to be treated as income in other circumstances where a benefit may cease to be payable and become payable again within a single income charging period. These reasons could include a benefit expiring and the expiry being subsequently lifted, meaning MSD resumes payments. Clause 15AB would also enable an income charge for an information share child support payment to begin when a client’s benefit or other assistance has been suspended or expired. This would enable MSD to charge the income against any benefit or other assistance that becomes payable within the same income charging period.
Under existing law, beneficiaries and public housing tenants have obligations to declare changes of circumstances, including changes in their income to MSD. The bill as introduced would amend section 113 of the Social Security Act to ensure these obligations are met for beneficiaries in circumstances where MSD would know about income changes for child support payments because of the information-sharing agreement with IR.2
However, under section 115 of the Public and Community Housing Management Act, the obligation for public housing tenants to declare changes in their income would remain. Retaining this obligation would no longer be necessary for tenants whose information is automatically disclosed to MSD via the information-sharing agreement. Further, it would be an administrative burden for both public housing tenants and MSD. Therefore, we recommend adding clause 64A to insert section 115A into the Public and Community Housing Management Act. This would clarify that public housing tenants do not have to notify changes in child support income where it would already be known because of the information-sharing agreement.
We note that our proposed section 115A includes some exceptions where public housing tenants would still be required to notify MSD of changes in their child support income. These exceptions are related to calculating eligibility for public housing, and, in particular, to matters relevant to a review of income-related rents. Exceptions include if, for any reason, the person did not receive the full payment, or was misidentified as the recipient of a payment. The exceptions mitigate the risk of an incorrect rent subsidy being paid to public housing tenants (which could create a risk of debt due to underpayment) due to an incorrect child support income charge. The changes are consistent with changes being made to the Social Security Act.
It is not unusual for a person to be considered eligible to receive financial support from MSD from a period earlier than they actually apply to receive it. In these circumstances, MSD may backdate the payment of a benefit to include an appropriate period prior to a person’s application.
For example, someone who separates from their partner at the beginning of the month and applies for financial assistance within 28 days may be entitled to a benefit from the day after the separation. Their benefit commencement may then be backdated and their entitlement back-paid to them if their application was approved by MSD.
If a person in these circumstances was also receiving child support payment administered by IR, there is a risk that after 1 July 2023, MSD would be required to consider the child support payments as income for that backdated period. We have been advised that this would be contrary to the bill’s policy intent. Retrospective adjustments to these child support payments are only intended to be used to address specific errors, not to capture past child support payments.
We consider that these child support payments should only be treated as income according to the new income charging rules. This would mean that people only have these child support payments treated as income for the purposes of determining the rate of financial assistance after they actually started receiving a benefit payment. Therefore, we recommend amending clauses 37, 60, 61, and 64. These amendments would identify that this type of payment is a “general provisions child support payment” and is further exempted from being treated as income when determining the rate of financial assistance payable for a backdated period on or after 1 July 2023.
The Social Security Act includes deprivation of income rules.3 These rules ensure that people do not change their financial position to put themselves at a financial disadvantage in order to qualify for assistance or assistance at a higher rate. Clauses 47, 48, and 64 would make changes to the deprivation of income rules as they relate to child support payments. These changes include that not applying for a formula-assessment of child support would not be considered deprivation of income. This aligns with changes the bill proposes to make to these obligations under section 9 of the Child Support Act 1991.
As introduced, these clauses could unintentionally also capture a person receiving an unsupported child’s benefit (UCB). This would mean that the current deprivation of income rules would not apply to them if they apply for other financial assistance that is income tested. We recommend amending clauses 47 and 64 to make it clear that the deprivation of income rules continue to apply to UCB recipients as UCB is not being passed on through this bill. We recommend that this amendment be made in respect of both the Social Security Act and the Public and Community Housing Management Act.
National Party members of the committee believe that where possible parents should be financially responsible for their children and this obligation doesn’t end when a relationship does. We strongly believe it is the responsibility of the parents to support their children as best they can, not taxpayers.
National Party members of the committee are concerned that the estimated cost to the government is $354.27 million over the forecast period of 2021/2022 to 2025/2026, and that officials were unable to answer how many more liable parents would comply with child support obligations, and were also unable to provide an estimate of how many more people might go onto the sole parent benefit because of this legislation.
We are concerned that the bill extends greater assistance to liable parents and so the burden of paying child support falls to taxpayers. If the stated intention of the bill was to resolve a matter of fairness with child support being passed onto other beneficiary types, then National Party members of the committee believe child support should also be passed on for Unsupported Child’s Benefit recipients. We believe that these caregivers should receive the child support contribution, as often caregivers are grandparents in lieu of the other parent.
The Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Bill was referred to the committee on 28 March 2023.
We called for submissions on the bill with a closing date of 14 April 2023. We received and considered submissions from 13 interested groups and individuals. We heard oral evidence from 6 submitters at hearings in Wellington.
We received advice on the bill from the Ministry of Social Development and the Inland Revenue Department. The Office of the Clerk provided advice on the bill’s legislative quality. The Parliamentary Counsel Office assisted with legislative drafting.
Angie Warren-Clark (Chairperson)
Karen Chhour
Dr Liz Craig
Dr Emily Henderson
Anahila Kanongata’a
Ricardo Menéndez March
Terisa Ngobi
Maureen Pugh
Hon Louise Upston
Harete Hipango participated in some of our consideration of this bill.
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Hover your cursor over an amendment for information about that amendment. Download the PDF version to see this information in a form that can be printed out.
Hon Carmel Sepuloni
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
This Act is the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023.
This Act comes into force on 1 July 2023.
This Part amends the Child Support Act 1991.
(1)
In section 2(1), repeal the definition of COVID-19 New Zealanders Stranded Overseas Support Programme.
(2)
In section 2(1), replace the definition of social security benefit with:
social security benefit means any benefit as defined in Schedule 2 of the Social Security Act 2018
(3)
In section 2(1), insert in their appropriate alphabetical order:
UCB beneficiary, in respect of a child, means a person who is in receipt of an unsupported child’s benefit for the child
unsupported child’s benefit means unsupported child’s benefit under section 46 of the Social Security Act 2018
Replace section 9 with:
This section applies to a person who is a carer of a qualifying child (other than a child to whom section 8(2) applies) and—
is a UCB beneficiary; and
provides, or considers that the person provides, at least 35% of ongoing daily care to the child; and
is not already a receiving carer in respect of the child (but see subsection (4)).
A person to whom this section applies must apply for a formula assessment of child support in relation to every parent of the child unless subsection (5) applies.
A UCB beneficiary who is required under subsection (2) to apply for a formula assessment of child support in relation to a parent of the child must make the application—
at the same time as an application for unsupported child’s benefit is made:
at a time other than when an application for unsupported child’s benefit is made, when notified by the Commissioner that an application for a formula assessment is required in relation to the qualifying child.
(4)
If a person who is or becomes a UCB beneficiary receives child support pursuant to an order under Part 4 that relates to an overseas order (as referred to in section 67(b)),—
the person is deemed not to be a receiving carer for the purpose of this section; and
the person is deemed to have made, on the date on which the person becomes a UCB beneficiary, an election under section 70 that the order be one to which Part 4 does not apply; and
if the person ceases to be a UCB beneficiary, or ceases to provide at least 35% of ongoing daily care to the child,—
any formula assessment applying at that time ceases to apply; and
the election under section 70 is deemed to be revoked (despite section 70(4)) on the following day.
(5)
A UCB beneficiary is not required to apply for a formula assessment in relation to a parent of the child if either the Commissioner or the chief executive of the department for the time being responsible for the administration of the Social Security Act 2018 is satisfied that all or any of the following applies:
there is insufficient evidence available to establish who in law that parent is:
there would be a risk of violence to a specified person if the UCB beneficiary were to do 1 or both of the following:
make an application for a formula assessment of child support in relation to that parent:
take steps to make an application for a formula assessment of child support in relation to that parent:
that parent died before the application for unsupported child’s benefit was made:
the child was conceived as a result of incest or sexual violation:
the UCB beneficiary cannot make an application for a formula assessment of child support in relation to that parent because of a compelling circumstance, other than a circumstance mentioned elsewhere in this subsection.
(6)
In subsection (5)(b),—
specified person, for a UCB beneficiary, means any of the following:
the UCB beneficiary:
the UCB beneficiary’s spouse or partner:
the UCB beneficiary’s children:
the qualifying child:
a parent of the qualifying child:
a sibling of the qualifying child
violence has the same meaning as in section 9 of the Family Violence Act 2018.
In the heading to section 12, replace “beneficiary” with “UCB beneficiary”.
“beneficiary”
“UCB beneficiary”
In section 12(1), replace “social security beneficiary” with “UCB beneficiary”.
“social security beneficiary”
In section 12(2), replace “beneficiary” with “UCB beneficiary”.
Replace section 27(4) with:
However, the election does not qualify for acceptance if a recognised carer of child C is, or is expected to be, on the day referred to in section 25(5)(a) or (b), a UCB beneficiary in respect of child C.
In section 27(9), replace “social security beneficiary of the kind referred to in subsection (4)(a) or (b)” with “UCB beneficiary in respect of child C”.
“social security beneficiary of the kind referred to in subsection (4)(a) or (b)”
“UCB beneficiary in respect of child C”
In section 35A(2)(b), delete “special assistance under the COVID-19 New Zealanders Stranded Overseas Support Programme that corresponds to such a payment, or both,”.
“special assistance under the COVID-19 New Zealanders Stranded Overseas Support Programme that corresponds to such a payment, or both,”
In the heading to section 50, replace “social security beneficiary” with “UCB beneficiary”.
In section 50(b), replace “a social security benefit” with “an unsupported child’s benefit for the qualifying child”.
“a social security benefit”
“an unsupported child’s benefit for the qualifying child”
In section 89B, repeal the definition of social security benefit.
In section 96Y(2)(a) and (b), replace “social security beneficiary” with “UCB beneficiary”.
Replace section 122 with:
This section applies, in a proceeding under this Act, to a person (person A) who is—
a carer of a qualifying child; and
in receipt of an unsupported child’s benefit at any time during a period to which the proceeding relates.
Person A is a compellable witness—
for the Commissioner against a person who, in relation to person A, is a liable parent; and
for a liable parent against the Commissioner.
This section applies despite any rule of law to the contrary.
In section 131, replace “benefit under the Social Security Act 2018, or Part 6 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014, or the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001” with “social security benefit”.
“benefit under the Social Security Act 2018, or Part 6 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014, or the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001”
“social security benefit”
In section 131(b), replace “benefit to which the person is or may become entitled under that Act” with “social security benefit to which the person is or may become entitled”.
“benefit to which the person is or may become entitled under that Act”
“social security benefit to which the person is or may become entitled”
Replace sections 141 to 143 with:
This section applies to money received by the Commissioner if—
the money is by way of child support in respect of a qualifying child; and
the receiving carer of that child is not a UCB beneficiary for that child.
The money must be paid to the receiving carer in accordance with this Part.
This section applies only if—
a person is the receiving carer of 1 or more children (the child support child or children); and
the person is also a UCB beneficiary in respect of 1 or more children (the UCB child or children); and
the child support child or children is or are either the same as, or different from, the UCB child or children; and
the Commissioner receives money by way of child support in respect of the UCB child or children; and
that money is paid by a liable parent or parents under 1 or more formula assessments; and
the Commissioner does not receive money in respect of the UCB child or children from any person under a voluntary agreement.
If this section applies, the Commissioner must, in respect of each child for whom an unsupported child’s benefit is payable,—
pay to the receiving carer the amount of child support paid by a liable parent that is payable to the receiving carer by that liable parent in respect of the child for periods when the receiving carer is not a recipient of an unsupported child’s benefit in respect of the child; and
aggregate all remaining payments of child support payable to the receiving carer in respect of each such child; and
deduct an amount equal to whichever is the lesser of the following amounts:
the net of tax amount of the unsupported child’s benefit; or
the aggregate of all payments of child support received by the Commissioner that are payable to the receiving carer in respect of that child (except for any amount the Commissioner is required to pay under paragraph (a)); and
pay any remaining child support in respect of that child to the receiving carer.
This section does not limit the application of section 137 to the liable parent.
any of that money is paid by a liable parent or parents under 1 or more voluntary agreements.
If this section applies, the Commissioner must, in respect of each child for whom money is paid under a voluntary agreement, pay to the receiving carer—
the amount of child support paid by a liable parent that is payable to the receiving carer by that liable parent in respect of the child for periods when the receiving carer is not a recipient of an unsupported child’s benefit in respect of the child; and
the amount by which the money paid under the voluntary agreement in respect of the child (except for any amount that the Commissioner is required to pay under paragraph (a)) exceeds the payment that would have been made under a formula assessment of child support.
If this section applies, the Commissioner must also, in respect of each child for whom an unsupported child’s benefit is payable,—
pay to the receiving carer the amount of child support paid by a liable parent that is payable to the receiving carer by that liable parent in respect of the child for periods when the receiving carer is not a recipient of an unsupported child’s benefit in respect of the child (except for any amount the Commissioner is required to pay under subsection (2)); and
the aggregate of all payments of child support received by the Commissioner that are payable to the receiving carer in respect of that child (except for any amount the Commissioner is required to pay under subsection (2) or under paragraph (a) of this subsection); and
In section 152B(2), replace “social security beneficiary (as defined in section 2(1))” with “UCB beneficiary”.
“social security beneficiary (as defined in section 2(1))”
In section 179A(1), delete “, or in receipt of any other social security benefit”.
“, or in receipt of any other social security benefit”
In section 179A(5), delete “, or begins to receive any other social security benefit”.
“, or begins to receive any other social security benefit”
In section 180(2)(a), replace “social security beneficiary (as defined in section 2(1))” with “UCB beneficiary”.
In section 180(2)(b) and (c), replace “social security beneficiary (as so defined)” with “UCB beneficiary”.
“social security beneficiary (as so defined)”
In the heading to section 180A, replace “social security beneficiary” with “UCB beneficiary”.
In section 180A(1)(a), replace “social security beneficiary (as defined in section 2(1))” with “UCB beneficiary”.
In section 180A(2), delete “social security benefit or”.
“social security benefit or”
In Schedule 1,—
insert the Part set out in Part 1 of the Schedule of this Act as the last Part; and
make all necessary consequential amendments.
This subpart amends the Child Support Rules 1992.
In rule 13(1), delete “(except an application for an urgent maintenance order under section 116 of the Act)”.
“(except an application for an urgent maintenance order under section 116 of the Act)”
Revoke rule 19.
In Schedule 1, revoke forms CS 21 and CS 22.
In Schedule 1, form CS 37, replace “rr 19(1), 38(2)(a)” with “r 38(2)(a)”.
“rr 19(1), 38(2)(a)”
“r 38(2)(a)”
This subpart amends the Family Court Rules 2002.
Revoke rule 21(c).
In rule 258, delete “(except an application for an urgent maintenance order under section 116 of the Act)”.
Revoke rule 260.
In Schedule 3, revoke forms CS 21 and CS 22.
In Schedule 3, form CS 28, replace “r 260” with “rr 139(3)(c), 266(1)(a)”.
“r 260”
“rr 139(3)(c), 266(1)(a)”
This subpart amends the Social Security Act 2018.
Before section 113(1), insert:
Before section 113(2), insert:
Before section 113(3), insert:
After section 113(3), insert:
Subsection (1) is satisfied for a change in a beneficiary’s circumstances that is receipt by the beneficiary of an information share child support payment if—
MSD is notified of the payment under an approved information sharing agreement (as defined in section 138 of the Privacy Act 2020) between—
the Inland Revenue Department (as the department responsible for the administration of the Child Support Act 1991); and
the responsible department (as the department responsible for the administration of provisions of this Act); and
MSD has in some way notified the beneficiary of the income charging of the payment under Schedule 3 (see the examples given in subsection (5)); and
the beneficiary notifies MSD without delay of a change in the beneficiary’s circumstances that is or may be all or any of the review grounds specified in section 304A(1)(a) to (g) for the purposes of section 304(1A).
Subsection (1) is satisfied for a change in a beneficiary’s circumstances that is an information share child support payment made to a beneficiary if the payment is disclosed to MSD under a specified approved information sharing agreement.
In this section,—
information share child support payment—
has the meaning given to it in Schedule 2; and therefore
excludes a general provisions child support payment (as that term is defined in Schedule 2)
specified approved information sharing agreement has the meaning given to it in Schedule 2.
However, subsection (4) does not apply if—
MSD has in some way notified the beneficiary of the income charging of the payment under Schedule 3 (see the examples given in subsection (7)); and
the beneficiary does not notify MSD without delay of a change in the beneficiary’s circumstances that relates to the payment and that is or may be all or any of the review grounds specified in section 304A(1)(a) to (g).
(57)
For the purposes of subsection (4)(b)(6)(a), examples of MSD in some way notifying the beneficiary of the income charging under Schedule 3 of the payment include MSD notifying the beneficiary—
that information share child support payments are, or will be, charged as income of the beneficiary under Schedule 3; or
of a change in amounts or timing of information share child support payments; or
of a change in how information share child support payments are charged as income of the beneficiary under Schedule 3.
(68)
For the purposes of subsection (4)(c)(6)(b), the review grounds specified in section 304A(1)(a) to (g) for the purposes of section 304(1A) include, without limitation, any 1 or more additional grounds prescribed, for the purposes of section 304A(1)(g), by regulations made under section 418(1)(ja).
After section 296(d), insert:
the use of automated electronic systems to make decisions, exercise powers, comply with obligations, and take related actions:
Before section 304(1), insert:
Before section 304(2), insert:
After section 304(1), insert:
(1A)
MSD may review under this subpart whether a person’s information share child support payment is or was all or any of their weekly income under Part 3A of Schedule 3, but only on all or any of the review grounds specified in section 304A(1)(a) to (g) for the purposes of this subsection.
(1B)
For the purposes of subsection (1A), the review grounds specified in section 304A(1)(a) to (g) for the purposes of subsection (1A) include, without limitation, any 1 or more additional grounds prescribed, for the purposes of section 304A(1)(g), by regulations made under section 418(1)(ja).
Before section 304(3), insert:
After section 304, insert:
For the purposes of section 304(1A), the specified grounds are that MSD is satisfied of all or any of the following:
the person did not receive all or any of the payment before or on the deemed receipt (as defined in clause 15C of Schedule 3 ):
the person is or was unable to access all or any of the payment for reasons that are or include exceptional circumstances:
MSD has charged under Part 3A of Schedule 3 an amount of weekly income that is not the correct amount for reasons that are or include all or any of the following:
the information share is incorrect due to an error by the Commissioner or an officer of the Department (as those terms are defined in the Tax Administration Act 1994):
the information share is correct but read incorrectly by an automated electronic system:
the information share is correct but due to a person’s error is inputted incorrectly into a system used by MSD:
a person has been incorrectly identified, or not identified, as the proper recipient of the payment (whether that mis- or non-identification was by an automated electronic system or a person):
for reasons that are or include a disruption to an automated electronic system, information about the payment is not shared with MSD on the transaction date (as defined in clause 15B of Schedule 3), with the result that the payment is charged as weekly income under Part 3A of Schedule 3 after an affected benefit payment, or other assistance payment, has been made:
the person to whom the payment was made has died, and their benefit—
is specified in section 326(1)(a) to (h); and
will end, or has ended, under section 326(2) or (3):
any 1 or more additional grounds prescribed, for the purposes of this paragraph, by regulations made under section 418(1)(ja).
automated electronic system means an automated electronic system used under subpart 5A
disruption, to an automated electronic system, includes, without limitation, a disruption to disclosure to MSD of all or any information used in or by the system.
After subpart 5 of Part 6, insert:
MSD may approve the use of an automated electronic system by a specified person to make any decision, exercise any power, comply with any obligation, or take any other related action under any specified provision.
iIn this subpart,—
specified person, means any of the following performing or exercising a duty, function, or power under a specified provision:
the chief executive of the responsible department:
a public service employee, or other person, acting under a delegation (direct or indirect) from that chief executive
specified provision has the same meaning as in clause 11 of Schedule 3.
The specified provision must be about how an information share child support payment is or affects any person’s assets, income, or other means of any kind (however described), for the purposes of, or for any purpose related to,—
a benefit; or
any other assistance under this Act.
MSD may approve the use of an automated electronic system only if—
the system is under the responsible department’s control; and
MSD is satisfied that the system has the capacity to make the decision, exercise the power, comply with the obligation, or take the related action with reasonable reliability; and
MSD is satisfied that the use of the system is consistent with the approved standard for MSD’s use of automated electronic systems (see subsections (5) and (6)); and
1 or more persons are always available, as an alternative, to make the decision, exercise the power, comply with the obligation, or take the related action.
MSD must ensure that there is in force at all times after the commencement of this section an approved standard for MSD’s use of automated electronic systems.
The standard, and any amendment, revocation, or replacement of the standard, must be—
approved by MSD, in consultation with the Privacy Commissioner appointed under the Privacy Act 2020; and
reviewed at least once every 3 years; and
published in the Gazette; and
published on an Internet site that—
is maintained by, or on behalf of, the responsible department; and
is publicly available free of charge.
(7)
A decision that is made, a power that is exercised, an obligation that is complied with, or a related action that is taken using an automated electronic system under this section must be treated for all purposes as if it were made, exercised, complied with, or taken (as the case may be) by a specified person authorised or required by the specified provision to make the decision, exercise the power, comply with the obligation, or take the related action.
Compare: 2018 No 4 ss 295, 296
MSD must ensure that details of any arrangements to use an automated electronic system, and any variation or revocation of the arrangements, are published as soon as practicable—
in the Gazette; and
on an Internet site that—
Those details must identify—
the relevant decision, power, obligation, or related action to be made, exercised, complied with, or taken under the specified provision; and
the automated electronic system that is to make, exercise, comply with, or take that decision, power, obligation, or related action.
The use of an automated electronic system is not made invalid by reason only of a failure to publish details of it or any variation to it as soon as practicable in accordance with subsection (1).
Compare: 2018 No 4 s 297
This section applies to a decision made by an automated electronic system (the relevant decision).
A specified person may—
vary, or add to, the terms or conditions of the relevant decision; or
substitute a decision for the relevant decision if the specified person is satisfied that the new decision—
could have been made under the same specified provision as the relevant decision; and
is more favourable to the affected person.
A specified person is not obliged to exercise any power in subsection (2) in respect of the relevant decision.
Compare: 2018 No 4 s 298
A person has the same rights of appeal or right to apply for administrative or judicial review (if any) in relation to a decision made, power exercised, obligation complied with, or other action taken by an automated electronic system as the person would have had if the decision, power, obligation, or other action had been made, exercised, complied with, or taken by a specified person.
However, this section is subject to sections 304(1A) and 304A (under which MSD may review under subpart 3 of Part 6 whether a person’s information share child support payment is or was all or any of their weekly income under Part 3A of Schedule 3, but only on all or any of the review grounds specified in section 304A(1)(a) to (g) for the purposes of section 304(1A)).
For the purposes of subsection (2), the review grounds specified in section 304A(1)(a) to (g) for the purposes of subsection (2) include, without limitation, any 1 or more additional grounds prescribed, for the purposes of section 304A(1)(g), by regulations made under section 418(1)(ja).
Compare: 2018 No 4 s 299
After the heading above section 418(1)(k), insert:
section 304A(1)(g) (additional grounds for review of whether person’s information share child support payment is or was all or any of their weekly income):
After the heading above section 418(1)(o), insert:
paragraph (f)(j) of the definition of non-information share general provisions child support payment in Schedule 2 (additional kinds of payments that are non-information share general provisions child support payments):
insert the Part set out in Part 2 the Schedule of this Act as the last Part; and
In Schedule 2, insert in their appropriate alphabetical order:
automated electronic system is defined in section 304A for the purposes of that section
child support has the meaning given to it in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991
child support debt recovery by reduced further payments of child support, for a person who owes an amount of child support as a debt due to the Crown, means any recovery of the amount of the debt due to the Crown—
under the Child Support Act 1991; and
by reduced further payments of child support that the person is entitled to receive (for example, under section 151(3) or 151AA(8) of that Act)
child support deduction, for a receiving carer who is a UCB beneficiary, means any money received by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue by way of child support that is not required to be paid to the receiving carer under the Child Support Act 1991 because that money is a deduction made under section 142(2)(c) or 143(3)(c) of that Act
child support excess payment, for a receiving carer who is a UCB beneficiary, means a payment to that receiving carer that is—
money received by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue by way of child support and that is required to be paid to the receiving carer under section 142(2)(d) or 143(3)(d) of the Child Support Act 1991; or
a mixed child support payment
child support year has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991
Commissioner of Inland Revenue means the Commissioner of Inland Revenue as defined in section 3(1) of the Tax Administration Act 1994
deemed receipt, of an information share child support payment, has the meaning given to it in clause 15C of Schedule 3
disruption, to an automated electronic system, is defined in section 304A for the purposes of that section
foreign child support payment, for a person, and in relation to a country or territory outside New Zealand, means a payment that is—
made to the person; and
required under the laws of the country or territory; and
of the same nature as child support; and
the subject of an agreement (as defined in section 214 of the Child Support Act 1991) made between the government of the country or territory and the Government of New Zealand
general provisions child support payment, for the purposes of this Act (for example, in clause 7A(6) of Schedule 3), and for a person, means a payment that is money received by the person that is child support and that is all or any of the following:
paid to the person in a manner other than by direct credit to a bank account nominated by the person under section 148 of the Child Support Act 1991:
paid to the person when, and only to the extent that, the benefit, or other assistance under this Act, that the person is receiving is—
payable before the time of MSD’s decision to grant the benefit or other assistance under this Act; and
subject to testing based on any person’s assets, income, or other means of any kind (however described):
a child support excess payment (which includes, without limitation, a mixed child support payment):
a payment made under section 143(2)(b) or (3)(d) of the Child Support Act 1991:
a payment made under an order made by the Family Court under section 109 of the Child Support Act 1991 (orders for provision of child support in form of lump sum):
a foreign child support payment:
a payment made to a receiving carer who is a person being paid, while that person is absent from New Zealand, a benefit that is any of the following:
New Zealand superannuation being paid overseas under section 26 of the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001 (see section 29(4A) of that Act):
New Zealand superannuation payable to a person resident in a specified Pacific country under section 31 of the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001 (see section 35(2) of that Act):
a veteran’s pension being paid overseas under section 182 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 (see section 189(3) of that Act):
a veteran’s pension payable to a person resident in a specified Pacific country under section 191 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 (see section 195(2) of that Act):
a benefit payable under any reciprocity agreement with another country adopted by an order made under section 380:
a payment after 30 June 2023 of child support in respect of a period (whether all, or any part, of a child support year) before 1 July 2023:
a payment that is not disclosed to MSD under a specified approved information sharing agreement (as that term is defined in this schedule):
a child support payment of any other kind that is specified for the purposes of this paragraph by regulations made under section 418(1)(na)
information share child support payment, for a person, means money received by the person that is child support that is—
paid to the person by direct credit to a bank account nominated by the person under section 148 of the Child Support Act 1991; and
notified to MSD under an approved information sharing agreement (as defined in section 138 of the Privacy Act 2020) between—
not a non-information share child support payment
information share child support payment, for the purposes of this Act (for example, in clause 7A(5) of Schedule 3), and for a person, means a payment that is—
money received by the person that is child support; and
not a general provisions child support payment (as that term is defined in this schedule)
liable parent has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991
mixed child support payment, made to a receiving carer who is a UCB beneficiary, means money received by the receiving carer that is child support if—
the receiving carer is—
a UCB beneficiary for a child or children (the UCB child or children); and
caring for 1 or more children for each of whom an unsupported child’s benefit is not payable (the non-UCB child or children); and
the same liable parent is liable to pay the receiving carer child support for both of the following:
the UCB child or children:
the non-UCB child or children; and
the child support is from that liable parent, and may be child support for 1 or both of the following:
the non-UCB child or children
non-information share child support payment, for a person, means money received by the person that is child support that is—
a child support excess payment (which includes, without limitation, a mixed child support payment); or
a payment made under an order made by the Family Court under section 109 of the Child Support Act 1991 (orders for provision of child support in form of lump sum); or
a foreign child support payment; or
a benefit payable under any reciprocity agreement with another country adopted by an order made under section 380; or
a payment after 30 June 2023 of child support in respect of a period (whether all, or any part, of a child support year) before 1 July 2023; or
offset child support payment, for a person, means an amount of child support that another person is liable to pay to the person, but that is not paid, or required to be paid, to the person because—
the amount is offset under section 152B of the Child Support Act 1991; and
the offsetting of the amount has not been reversed
receiving carer has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991
specified approved information sharing agreement, for the purposes of section 113(4) and of the definitions in this schedule of information share child support payment and general provisions child support payment, means an approved information sharing agreement (as defined in section 138 of the Privacy Act 2020) between—
the responsible department (as the department responsible for the administration of provisions of this Act)
specified person is defined in section 363A(2) for the purposes of subpart 5A of Part 6
UCB beneficiary has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991
In Schedule 2, definition of specified provision, replace paragraph (b) with:
in relation to use of automated electronic systems to make decisions, exercise powers, comply with obligations, and take related actions, is defined in section 363A(2) for the purposes of subpart 5A of Part 6; and
in relation to a reference to income for a period,—
is defined in clause 11 of Schedule 3 for the purposes of clauses 12 to 14 of Schedule 3; and
is defined in clause 15B of Schedule 3 for the purposes of Part 3A of Schedule 3
In Schedule 3, replace clause 1(b) and (c) with:
what, for the purposes of this Act, is income (including an overview of how child support may be income for the purposes of this Act):
general provisions on how income is calculated:
special provisions on how weekly income is calculated if that income is information share child support payments:
In Schedule 3, after clause 7, insert:
Under clause 8(m), child support that is an interest acquired by a person (rather than money received by (a payment made to) a person) is not income of the person. Examples are—
an interest acquired that is an offset child support payment; or
an interest acquired by way of any child support debt recovery by reduced further payments of child support.
Under clause 8(n), child support that is a child support deduction for a receiving carer who is a UCB beneficiary is not income of that person.
Child support that is money received by a person is income of the person for the purposes of this Act unless it is—
Court-ordered lump sums MSD determines are capital are not income
a payment that is ordered by the Family Court under section 109 of the Child Support Act 1991 (orders for provision of child support in form of lump sum) and that MSD determines, under clause 3(b) of this schedule, is an interest in capital received or acquired by the person; or
Child support excess payments are not income
a child support excess payment (which includes, without limitation, a mixed child support payment) that, under clause 8(na), is not income of the person; or
Payments covered by income exemption regulations are not income
a payment that, under clause 9 and income exemption regulations made under section 422, is not income of the person.
A child support payment is 1 of the following (as defined in Schedule 2)—
an information share child support payment; or
a non-information share general provisions child support payment.
An information share child support payment that is income is subject to—
general annual income provisions in Part 3 of this schedule (see clauses 12 and 14 (how annual income is calculated)); and
special weekly income provisions in Part 3A of this schedule.
A non-information share general provisions child support payment that is income is subject to—
general weekly income provisions in Part 3 of this schedule (see clauses 13 and 14 (how weekly income is calculated)).
This overview is about income for the purposes of the Act, and so does not affect special provisions about cash assets or income for particular purposes, for example,—
accommodation supplement (see regulations made under section 423):
childcare assistance (see regulations made under section 424):
temporary additional support (see regulations made under section 428):
a benefit’s stand-down period (see regulations made under section 440).
In Schedule 3, replace the heading to clause 8 with “Income excludes specified benefits, payments, interests acquired, etc”.
“Income excludes specified benefits, payments, interests acquired, etc”
In Schedule 3, clause 8, before “payments:” insert “amounts or”.
“payments:”
“amounts or”
In Schedule 3, replace clause 8(m) and (n) with:
child support that is an interest acquired by the person, for example,—
an interest acquired by way of child support debt recovery by reduced further payments of child support:
a child support deduction for a receiving carer who is a UCB beneficiary:
In Schedule 3, in the Part 3 heading, replace “Calculation” with “General provisions on calculation”.
“Calculation”
“General provisions on calculation”
In Schedule 3, clause 11, definition of specified provision, after “all or a portion of”, insert “legislation in or made under”.
“all or a portion of”
“legislation in or made under”
In Schedule 3, replace the heading to clause 12 with “How annual income is calculated”.
“How annual income is calculated”
In Schedule 3, after clause 12(2), insert:
The income received by the person for the 52 weeks specified in subclause (2) is or includes any information share child support payment that is charged as weekly income of the person under Part 3A of this schedule for all or any of those weeks.
In Schedule 3, replace the heading to clause 13 with “How weekly income is calculated: general”.
“How weekly income is calculated: general”
In Schedule 3, after clause 13(3), insert:
Nothing in this clause applies to any information share child support payment (see Part 3A of this schedule).
In Schedule 3, after clause 15(1), insert:
However, neither subclause (1), nor rules made under subclause (1), apply to any information share child support payment (see Part 3A of this schedule).
In Schedule 3, after clause 15, insert:
This Part sets out how a person’s information share child support payment is all or any of their weekly income—
for the rate of benefit; or
for a specified provision (as defined in clause 15B).
The key steps in charging the payment as weekly income are as follows:
the payment is taken to be received at deemed receipt:
deemed receipt is used to identify when income charging starts and ends:
the payment amount is divided by the number of weeks the payment is charged to produce equal amounts of weekly income for each of those weeks.
Under the exception in clause 15G (terminal benefit), which applies when the person has died, and their benefit will end, or has ended, under section 326(2) or (3), the payment is not charged as the person’s weekly income.
Under the exception in clause 15H (transfer to new benefit paid in different instalments), MSD may charge the payment amount—
as income for other weeks; and
as equal or unequal amounts of weekly income for each of those other weeks.
This Part applies to a person and an income-charging period even if the person’s benefit or other assistance under this Act is not payable at all or any of the following times:
at or after the time of disclosure to MSD of a payment that could be charged as income in the period:
at the start or end of, or at any other time or times in, the period.
The person’s benefit or other assistance under this Act—
is not payable at the start of the period; but
is payable again later in the period.
is payable at the start of the period; but
is not payable, then is payable again, later in the period.
Subclause (1) applies whether or not the person’s benefit or other assistance under this Act changes at the start or end of, or at any other time or times in, the period.
But subclause (1)(a) does not apply (despite subclause (4)) to a person’s benefit or other assistance under this Act that is not payable because it has been cancelled.
For the purposes of subclause (1), a person’s benefit or other assistance under this Act is not payable (subject to subclause (3)) if all or any of the following apply:
the benefit or other assistance under this Act is, in connection with a review under section 304 or otherwise, suspended, or otherwise not payable, in connection with decisions MSD has made, or is to make, about whether the person is, or remains, entitled to—
the benefit or other assistance under this Act; or
the rate of benefit or other assistance under this Act that was paid to the person:
the person is subject to legislation in or made under this Act that provides for the suspension, or other non-payment, in certain circumstances, of that person’s benefit or other assistance under this Act.
The legislation mentioned in subclause (4)(b) includes, without limitation,—
section 213 (immediate suspension of benefit at request of New Zealand Police):
section 219 (general rule: benefit not payable while beneficiary absent from New Zealand):
section 237 (sanction for second failure: suspension of main benefit):
section 270 (sanction for first or second failure: suspension of in-hand allowance and incentive payments):
section 280 (sanction for first or second failure: suspension of in-hand allowance and incentive payments):
sections 331 to 336 (expiry and regrant of specified benefits):
regulations made under section 436 (regulations: factors affecting benefits: absence from New Zealand):
regulations made under section 441(1) (regulations: expiry and regrant of benefits).
In this Part,—
business day, for an information share child support payment, means a day of the week other than—
a Saturday, a Sunday, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, the Sovereign’s birthday, Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day, and Labour Day; and
if Waitangi Day or Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday; and
Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and 2 January; and
if Christmas Day or 1 January falls on a Friday, the following Monday; and
if Christmas Day or 1 January falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday and Tuesday
expected date of the next in-cycle payment, for an in-cycle payment made on the second business day after the 19th day of a month, means the third business day after the 19th day of the next month
in-cycle payment means an information share child support payment that is made—
by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue to the receiving carer; and
on the second business day after the 19th day of a month
out-of-cycle payment means an information share child support payment that is not an in-cycle payment
specified provision has the same meaning as in clause 11 of this schedule
standard income-charging period means,—
if the relevant benefit or other assistance is paid in instalments of 1 week’s benefit or other assistance, a period that—
starts on a Monday; and
ends at the close of the first Sunday after that Monday; and
if the relevant benefit or other assistance is paid in instalments of 2 weeks’ benefit or other assistance, a period that—
starts on a Wednesday; and
ends at the close of the second Tuesday after that Wednesday
transaction date, for an information share child support payment to a person, means the date of the business day on which a bank is to make the payment to the person by direct credit to a bank account nominated by the person under section 148 of the Child Support Act 1991, as the date of that business day is—
stated in the Commissioner of Inland Revenue’s instructions to the bank; and
notified disclosed to MSD under the specified approved information sharing agreement.
In this Part, the deemed receipt of a person’s information share child support payment is,—
at the start of the first business day after the transaction date, if MSD makes no determination under clause 15D; or
if MSD makes a determination under clause 15D, at the start of the date determined under that clause.
MSD may determine that a person’s information share child support payment is, for the purposes of this Part, taken to be received—
not at the start of the first business day after the transaction date (under the general rule in clause 15C(a)); but instead
at the start of a later date.
MSD must consider the day on which the person actually received the payment, and any advantage to the person of the general rule in clause 15C(a) not applying to the person, if, and when, MSD decides—
whether to make a determination under this clause; and
the terms of a determination made under this clause.
For a person’s in-cycle payment or out-of-cycle payment, income charging starts as set out in item 1 or 2 of the following table:
at the start of a standard income-charging period, if deemed receipt falls in that period
at the start of a standard income-charging period, if deemed receipt falls in week 1 of that period
or
at the start of the next standard income-charging period, if deemed receipt falls in week 2 of a standard income-charging period
For a person’s in-cycle payment, income charging ends as set out in item 1 or 2 of the following table:
at the end of the standard income-charging period immediately before the expected date of the next in-cycle payment
at the end of the 4 weeks that start on the day on which the payment starts to be charged as the person’s income
For a person’s out-of-cycle payment, income charging ends as set out in item 1 or 2 of the following table:
at the end of the first Sunday before the day that—
This clause applies to the person’s information share child support payment (whether an in-cycle payment or an out-of-cycle payment) if—
the person has died, and their benefit—
is specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (h) of section 326(1); and
will end, or has ended, under section 326(2) or (3); and
the payment’s deemed receipt is after the person’s death.
The payment is not charged as the person’s weekly income.
This clause overrides clauses 15E and 15F.
This clause applies to a person who transfers—
from a benefit or other assistance that is payable in instalments of 1 week’s benefit or other assistance; and
to a benefit or other assistance that is payable in instalments of 2 weeks’ benefit or other assistance.
This clause also applies to a person who transfers—
from a benefit or other assistance that is payable in instalments of 2 weeks’ benefit or other assistance; and
to a benefit or other assistance that is payable in instalments of 1 week’s benefit or other assistance.
MSD may determine that the person’s information share child support payment is charged as the person’s weekly income for a period that—
MSD identifies; and
is after the deemed receipt; and
is 3 or more weeks, but not more than 6 weeks; and
does not start or end as required by clauses 15E and 15F.
In making a determination under this clause, MSD may charge the payment amount as equal or unequal amounts of weekly income.
MSD must consider how MSD can best charge the payment as weekly income reasonably and conveniently if, and when, MSD decides—
In Schedule 3, after clause 16(1), insert:
For the purposes of this clause and of rules under clause 17, deprivation of income, property, or both, by a person who is an applicant for a benefit, or the spouse or partner of that applicant, excludes that person doing all or any of—
not applying for a formula assessment of child support payable in respect of a qualifying child under the Child Support Act 1991:
electing to end a formula assessment of child support payable in respect of a qualifying child under that Act:
choosing not to enter into a voluntary agreement for child support in respect of a qualifying child under that Act (whether or not that voluntary agreement—
is a voluntary agreement that, under section 48 of that Act, qualifies for acceptance by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue; and so
is a qualifying voluntary agreement (as defined in section 2(1) of that Act)):
making under that Act an election to terminate liability under a qualifying voluntary agreement that, under section 48 of that Act, has been accepted by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue:
not making, or making, any other arrangement (for example, one in respect of a qualifying child and that is not a qualifying voluntary agreement (as those terms are defined in section 2(1) of that Act)) that does or may affect whether or what child support is payable in respect of a qualifying child under that Act.
Subclause (1A) does not apply to, and does not limit the application of section 9 (UCB beneficiaries must apply for formula assessment) of the Child Support Act 1991 to,—
an applicant for an unsupported child’s benefit; or
the spouse or partner of that applicant; or
a UCB beneficiary; or
the spouse or partner of that UCB beneficiary.
In Schedule 3, after clause 17(1), insert:
Rules under this clause are subject to clause 16(1A) (under which deprivation of income, property, or both, excludes specified conduct by a person who is an applicant for a benefit, or the spouse or partner of that applicant).
In Schedule 4, Part 6, clauses 1, 2, and 3, replace “clause 11” with “clauses 11 and 11A”.
“clause 11”
“clauses 11 and 11A”
In Schedule 4, Part 6, clauses 4 and 5(a) and (b), replace “clause 12” with “clauses 12 and 12A”.
“clause 12”
“clauses 12 and 12A”
In Schedule 4, Part 6, replace clauses 11 to 13 with:
The applicable rate of youth payment or young parent payment in clause 1, 2, or 3 must be reduced by $1 for every $1 of the young person’s weekly income (excluding any 1 or more information share child support payments) that exceeds $258.08, but no amount of youth payment or young parent payment or incentive payment is payable if the young person’s weekly income (excluding any 1 or more information share child support payments) exceeds $308.08.
If, after complying with clause 11, an amount of youth payment or young parent payment or incentive payment is payable, the applicable rate of youth payment or young parent payment in clause 1, 2, or 3 must also be reduced by $1 for every $1 of any of the young person’s relevant weekly income (as defined in clause 11B).
In clause 11A, the young person’s relevant weekly income means their weekly income—
that is 1 or more information share child support payments; and
that exceeds $258.08 of their weekly income that is 1 or both of—
any weekly income (excluding any 1 or more information share child support payments):
any 1 or more information share child support payments.
The applicable rate of youth payment or young parent payment in clause 4 or 5 must be reduced by 50 cents for every $1 of the combined weekly income of the young person and the young person’s spouse or partner (excluding any 1 or more information share child support payments) that exceeds $258.08, but no amount of youth payment or young parent payment or incentive payment is payable if that combined weekly income (excluding any 1 or more information share child support payments) exceeds $358.08.
If, after complying with clause 12, an amount of youth payment or young parent payment or incentive payment is payable, the applicable rate of youth payment or young parent payment in clause 4 or 5 must also be reduced— by 50 cents for every $1 of the relevant combined weekly income of the young person and the young person’s spouse or partner (as defined in clause 12B) that exceeds $258.08.
by 50 cents for every $1 of the relevant combined weekly income of the young person and the young person’s spouse or partner (as defined in clause 12B) that exceeds $258.08 but does not exceed $358.08; and
by $1 for every $1 of the relevant combined weekly income of the young person and the young person’s spouse or partner (as defined in clause 12B) that exceeds $358.08.
In clause 12A, the relevant combined weekly income of the young person and the young person’s spouse or partner means their combined weekly income—
that exceeds $258.08 of their combined weekly income that is 1 or both of—
For the purposes of clause 11, 11A, 12, or 12A and a rate of young parent payment, MSD may disregard up to $20 a week of the personal earnings of the young person (excluding any that are the young person’s weekly income that is 1 or more information share child support payments) used to meet the costs of child care for any of the person’s dependent children (see clause 6).
This subpart amends the Social Security Regulations 2018.
In regulation 20(1), definition of total income, replace paragraph (a) with:
the caregiver’s income as defined in Part 2 of Schedule 3 of the Act (including, without limitation, a payment that is weekly income of the caregiver under clauses 3 and 8 and Part 3A of Schedule 3 of the Act because it is an information share child support payment); and
a child support excess payment, which includes, without limitation, a mixed child support payment (see clause 8(na) of Schedule 3 of the Act); and
In regulation 20(1), definition of total income, paragraph (b)(ii), replace “; and” with “; but”.
“; and”
“; but”
In regulation 20(1), definition of total income, revoke paragraph (c).
Replace regulation 69(3)(f) with:
income as defined in Part 2 of Schedule 3 of the Act (including, without limitation, a payment that is weekly income under clauses 3 and 8 and Part 3A of Schedule 3 of the Act because it is an information share child support payment):
a child support excess payment, which includes, without limitation, a mixed child support payment (see clause 8(na) of Schedule 3 of the Act):
Revoke regulation 69(3)(h).
After regulation 71(3)(m), insert:
any child support required to be paid by a person for the week concerned under a formula assessment under the Child Support Act 1991 (regardless of whether, and, if so, how that support must under that Act be paid to, or otherwise dealt with to improve the position of, a receiving carer).
In regulation 182, definition of income, before “includes— ”, insert “excludes any child support that is an interest acquired by the person (for example, an interest acquired that is an offset child support payment, or an interest acquired by way of any child support debt recovery by reduced further payments of child support), but”
“includes— ”
“excludes any child support that is an interest acquired by the person (for example, an interest acquired that is an offset child support payment, or an interest acquired by way of any child support debt recovery by reduced further payments of child support), but”
In regulation 182, definition of income, before paragraph (a), insert:
any money received by the person that is child support and—
is not a payment that is ordered by the Family Court under section 109 of the Child Support Act 1991 (orders for provision of child support in form of lump sum) and that MSD determines, under clause 3(b) of Schedule 3 of the Act, is an interest in capital received or acquired by the person; and
may, but need not, be a child support excess payment (which includes, without limitation, a mixed child support payment) that, under clause 8(na) of Schedule 3 of the Act, is not income of the person; and
may, but need not, be a payment that, under clause 9 of Schedule 3 of the Act and regulation 294 (income exemptions), is not income of the person; and
is an information share child support payment or a non-information share general provisions child support payment:
After regulation 207(1)(a), insert:
regulation 208A (debts caused by disruption to automated electronic system):
regulation 208B (debts caused by specified errors identified through information share child support payment reviews):
After regulation 208, insert:
MSD cannot recover under the Act a sum comprising a debt, or that part of a debt, that was caused wholly or partly by a disruption to an automated electronic system.
In this regulation,—
automated electronic system means an automated electronic system used under subpart 5A of Part 6 of the Act
MSD cannot recover under the Act a sum comprising a debt, or that part of a debt, that was caused wholly or partly by a specified error identified through an information share child support payment review.
information share child support payment review means a review under section 304(1A) of the Act of whether a person’s information share child support payment is or was all or any of their weekly income
specified error means 1 or both of the following:
MSD has charged an amount of income that is not the correct amount (see section 304A(1)(c) of the Act):
a person has been incorrectly not identified as the proper recipient of the payment (whether that non-identification was by an automated electronic system or a person) (see section 304A(1)(d) of the Act).
insert the Part set out in Part 3 of the Schedule of this Act as the last Part; and
In Schedule 8, clause 1, after item 22, insert:
In Schedule 8, clause 2, after item 23, insert:
In Schedule 8, clause 4, after item 2829, insert:
In Schedule 8, after Part 3334, insert:
In this Part, child support payment means money received by a person by way of child support (as defined in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991) that is—
an information share child support payment; and
charged as all or any of the weekly income of the person under Part 3A of Schedule 3 of the Act.
For the purposes of item 24 of clause 1 and of item 25 of clause 2, a person is in exceptional circumstances if all or any of the following apply or applies to the person:
Bereavement
a member of the person’s immediate family has died:
Serious illness, serious injury, or serious sickness
the person, or a member of the person’s immediate family, is suffering from a serious illness, a serious injury, or a serious sickness:
Patient in hospital care
the person, or a member of the person’s immediate family, is a patient in hospital care:
Victim of crime
the person is a victim:
Area affected by emergency, disease, or other exceptional adverse event
the person resides in, or is present in and cannot reasonably leave, an area in respect of which a state of local emergency or state of national emergency is in force under Part 4 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002:
the person resides in, or is present in and cannot reasonably leave, an area that is or may be affected by an outbreak of a quarantinable disease in respect of which an epidemic notice has been given, and is in force, under section 5(1) of the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006:
the beneficiary resides in, or is present in and cannot reasonably leave, an area that is or may be affected by any exceptional adverse event other than those prescribed by paragraphs (e) and (f).
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
crime means an offence for which the offender—
is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life or to imprisonment for more than 3 months; or
would have been liable on conviction to imprisonment for life or to imprisonment for more than 3 months but for circumstances (for example, the offender has died)
hospital care means hospital care within the meaning of section 4(1) of the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001
immediate family, in relation to a person,—
means a member of the person’s family, whānau, or other culturally recognised family group, who is in a close relationship with the person at the time of the death; and
to avoid doubt, includes—
a spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner:
a child or stepchild:
a brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister:
a parent or step-parent:
a grandparent
victim means—
a person against whom a crime has been committed by another person; and
a person who, through (or by means of) a crime committed by another person, has suffered physical or emotional harm, or loss of, or damage to, property; and
a parent or legal guardian of a child, or of a young person, who falls within paragraph (a) or (b), unless that parent or guardian is charged with the commission of, is convicted or found guilty of, or pleads guilty to the crime concerned; and
a member of the immediate family of a person who, as a result of a crime committed by another person, has died, unless that member is charged with the commission of, is convicted or found guilty of, or pleads guilty to the crime concerned.
This clause applies to a child support payment made to a person.
This clause applies to an information share child support payment made to a person if—
the person transfers—
from a benefit paid in instalments of 1 week’s benefit (the former benefit); and
to a benefit paid in instalments of 2 weeks’ benefit (the new benefit); and
the payment’s deemed receipt is on or after the commencement date of the new benefit; and
the payment starts to be charged as all or any of the weekly income of the person under Part 3A of Schedule 3 of the Act before the commencement date of the new benefit.
This clause also applies to an information share child support payment made to a person if—
from a benefit paid in instalments of 2 weeks’ benefit (the former benefit); and
to a benefit paid in instalments of 1 week’s benefit (the new benefit); and
This clause applies to a general provisions child support payment that is paid to the person when, and only to the extent that, the benefit, or other assistance under the Act, that the person is receiving is—
payable before the time of MSD’s decision to grant the benefit or other assistance under the Act; and
subject to testing based on any person’s assets, income, or other means of any kind (however described).
This subpart amends the Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992.
In section 2(1), replace the definition of calculation mechanism with:
calculation mechanism means—
sections 107 to 113; and
the regulations for the time being in force under section 114
After section 112(1), insert:
For the purposes of this section, deprivation of income, property, or both, by an applicable person excludes that applicable person doing all or any of—
Subsection (1A) does not apply to, and does not limit the application of section 9 (UCB beneficiaries must apply for formula assessment) of the Child Support Act 1991 to,—
a UCB beneficiary (as defined in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991); or
After section 115, insert:
Section 115(1), (2), or (3) is satisfied for a change in a person’s circumstances that is an information share child support payment made to the person if the payment is disclosed to the agency under an approved information sharing agreement (as defined in section 138 of the Privacy Act 2020) between—
the agency (as the department, departmental agency, or Crown entity responsible for the administration of provisions of this Act).
However, subsection (1) does not apply if—
the agency has in some way notified the person that the payment has been disclosed to the agency under an approved information sharing agreement (see the examples given in subsection (3)); and
the person does not promptly advise the agency of a change in the person’s circumstances that relates to the payment, and that is or may be relevant to a review under all or any of—
section 116 (reviews of income-related rents):
section 117 (agency may review housing eligibility):
section 118 (agency may review housing needs of tenant).
Examples of a change in the person’s circumstances that relates to the payment include that—
the person did not receive all or any of the payment:
the payment as received by the person is of a smaller amount than the amount of the payment as disclosed to the agency under an approved information sharing agreement:
the person has been incorrectly identified as the proper recipient of the payment.
For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), examples of the agency in some way notifying the person that the payment has been disclosed to the agency under an approved information sharing agreement include the agency notifying the person—
that information share child support payments are, or will be, disclosed to the agency under an approved information sharing agreement; or
that 1 or more particular information share child support payments disclosed to the agency under an approved information sharing agreement are or may be relevant to—
a review proposed to be conducted under all or any of sections 116 to 118; or
any outcome (for example, any proposed outcome) of a review conducted under all or any of sections 116 to 118.
In this section, information share child support payment—
has the same meaning as in Schedule 2 of the Social Security Act 2018; and therefore
excludes a general provisions child support payment (as that term is defined in Schedule 2 of the Social Security Act 2018).
Repeal Schedule 2.
In Schedule 4,—
insert the Part set out in Part 4 of the Schedule of this Act as the last Part; and
This subpart amends the Public and Community Housing Management (Prescribed Elements of Calculation Mechanism) Regulations 2018.
In regulation 3(1), replace the definition of cash assets with:
cash assets,—
has the same meaning as in section 68(2) of the Social Security Act 2018; but
despite paragraph (a), includes a child support payment to which—
item 23 of clause 1 and clause 62 of Schedule 8 of the Social Security Regulations 2018 applies; or
item 24 of clause 1 and clause 62 of Schedule 8 of the Social Security Regulations 2018 applies
In the heading to regulation 14, before “payments” insert “amounts or”.
“payments”
Replace regulation 14(a)(iii) and (iv) with:
of a kind stated in any of clause 8(b) to (j) and (m) to (p) of Schedule 3 of the Social Security Act 2018 (for example,—
in that clause 8(m), an amount of child support that is an interest acquired by the person (for example, an interest acquired that is an offset child support payment or an interest acquired by way of any child support debt recovery by reduced further payments of child support):
in that clause 8(n), a child support deduction for a receiving carer who is a UCB beneficiary:
in that clause 8(na), a child support excess payment, which includes, without limitation, a mixed child support payment); or
of a kind stated in clause 4 of Schedule 8 of the Social Security Regulations 2018, except for a child support payment to which—
item 30 of clause 4 and clause 63 of Schedule 8 of the Social Security Regulations 2018 applies; or
item 31 of clause 4 and clause 64 of Schedule 8 of the Social Security Regulations 2018 applies; or
In the Schedule,—
insert the Part set out in Part 5 of the Schedule of this Act as the last Part; and
ss 19, 36, 57, 66, and 69
In this clause, amendments means the amendments made to this Act by subpart 1 of Part 1 of the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023.
The amendments apply only to child support in respect of a period (whether all, or any part, of a child support year) that starts on or after 1 July 2023.
That child support includes, but is not limited to, child support under a formula assessment or a voluntary agreement or an order of the court made or entered into before 1 July 2023.
Child support in respect of a period (whether all, or any part, of a child support year) that starts before 1 July 2023 is subject to this Act as in force at the relevant time before 1 July 2023.
Old section 96Y(2)(a) continues to apply on and after 1 July 2023 to proceedings in respect of child support that was payable—
in respect of a particular period before that date; and
to a receiving carer who was a social security beneficiary (as defined in old section 2(1)) during that particular period.
Subclause (1) applies whether the proceedings were or are commenced before, on, or after 1 July 2023.
In this clause, a reference to an old provision is a reference to that provision as in force immediately before 1 July 2023.
This clause does not limit the generality of clause 29(4).
Old section 122 continues to apply on and after 1 July 2023 to any proceeding under this Act to the extent that the proceeding relates to any period before that date.
Subclause (1) applies whether the proceeding was or is commenced before, on, or after 1 July 2023.
Clauses 29 to 31 may be added to or displaced by transitional provisions or savings provisions prescribed by regulations made under clause 98(1) of Schedule 1 of the Social Security Act 2018.
In this clause,—
amendments means the amendments made to this Act by subpart 1 of Part 2 of the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023
formula assessment has the meaning in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991.
The amendments apply only to—
use on or after 1 July 2023 of automated electronic systems to make decisions, exercise powers, comply with obligations, and take related actions; and
income based on child support in respect of a period (whether all, or any part, of a child support year) that starts on or after 1 July 2023; and
abatement on or after 1 July 2023 of youth payment or young parent payment.
The child support referred to in subclause (2)(b) includes, but is not limited to, child support under a formula assessment or a voluntary agreement or an order of a court made or entered into before 1 July 2023.
changeover, for a person, means,—
the start of 31 July 2023, if the person is in receipt of a benefit or other assistance payable in instalments of 1 week’s benefit or other assistance; or
the start of 2 August 2023, if the person is in receipt of a benefit or other assistance payable in instalments of 2 weeks’ benefit or other assistance
income, of a person, means income of the person for the purposes of this Act.
This clause applies to child support that is money received by a person if—
MSD is notified of the person’s receipt of the child support (for example, as a change of circumstances notified under section 113) before 1 July 2023; and
the child support is income of the person for a period or periods before 1 July 2023; and
MSD expects the child support to continue to be received by the person for a period or periods on or after 1 July 2023; and
MSD would, if this clause had not been enacted, also treat the child support as income of the person for a period or periods on or after the changeover.
MSD must, after the changeover, treat the child support as if it were not the person’s income after the changeover.
MSD must remove, from MSD records of the person’s income, child support treated by MSD under this clause as if it were not the person’s income after the changeover.
This clause applies if, on or after 1 July 2023 and before or on 29 September 2023, MSD becomes aware in any way, from information made available to MSD by or on behalf of the beneficiary, that—
a beneficiary was receiving, for all or any of that period, a benefit that is—
temporary additional support; or
a special benefit continued under section 23 of the Social Security (Working for Families) Amendment Act 2004 (as that section is saved by clause 19 of this schedule); and
the beneficiary’s allowable costs for that benefit did not include, but should have included, at all or any times during that period, child support required to be paid by them for the week or weeks concerned under a formula assessment under the Child Support Act 1991.
MSD must review under section 304 whether, for the reason specified in subclause (1)(b), the beneficiary was not entitled to receive that benefit, or the rate of that benefit, that was paid to the beneficiary for all or any of that period.
If satisfied because of the review that the beneficiary’s allowable costs for that benefit did not include, but should have included, at all or any times during that period, child support of the kind referred to in subclause (1)(b), MSD must—
ensure that the beneficiary’s relevant allowable costs for that benefit include that support from the later of 1 July 2023 or when that support started; and
suspend, cancel, or vary the rate of that benefit accordingly from a date that is within that period and that MSD reasonably determines.
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the relevant Minister, make regulations prescribing transitional provisions, savings provisions, or both, related to amendments made by the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023 to the Child Support Act 1991, this Act, or the Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992.
The regulations must be for either or both of the following purposes:
facilitating, or ensuring the orderliness of, the transition to those amendments being brought into operation:
ensuring that existing rights or obligations continue as part of, or despite, that transition.
The relevant Minister who may recommend the making of regulations made under subclause (1) is—
the Minister (as defined in Schedule 2 for provisions of this Act), to the extent that the regulations relate to amendments made to provisions of this Act:
the Minister of Revenue, to the extent that the regulations relate to amendments made to the Child Support Act 1991:
the Minister of Housing, to the extent that the regulations relate to amendments made to the Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992.
The relevant Minister must not recommend the making of regulations made under subclause (1) unless satisfied that those regulations—
are reasonably necessary for either or both of the purposes in subclause (2)(a) and (b); and
are consistent with the purposes of those amendments.
The transitional provisions or savings provisions prescribed by regulations made under subclause (1) may be provisions in addition to or instead of all or any of the following clauses:
clauses 29 to 31 of Schedule 1 of the Child Support Act 1991 as inserted by the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023:
clauses 95 to 97 of this Part of this schedule of this Act as inserted by the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023:
clause 22 of Schedule 4 of the Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992 as inserted by the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023.
The transitional provisions or savings provisions prescribed by regulations made under subclause (1) may do all or any of the following:
provide that, for a transitional period, in any circumstances, or subject to any conditions, specified in the regulations, 1 or more provisions (including definitions) of the relevant Act amended do not apply, or apply with modifications or additions:
provide that, for a transitional period, in any circumstances, or subject to any conditions, specified in the regulations, 1 or more provisions repealed, amended, or revoked by those amendments are to continue to apply, or apply with modifications or additions, as if they had not been repealed, amended, or revoked:
provide for any other matter necessary for either or both of the purposes in subclause (2)(a) and (b).
Regulations under this clause are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(8)
Regulations made under this clause cannot be made after, and are revoked by this clause at, the start of 1 July 2026.
amendments means the amendments made to these regulations by subpart 2 of Part 2 of the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023
The amendments apply only to child support payments based on child support in respect of a period (whether all, or any part, of a child support year) that starts on or after 1 July 2023.
The child support referred to in subclause (2) includes, but is not limited to, child support under a formula assessment or a voluntary agreement or an order of a court made or entered into before 1 July 2023.
Child support in respect of a period (whether all, or any part, of a child support year) that starts before 1 July 2023 is subject to these regulations as in force at the relevant time before 1 July 2023.
amendments means the amendments made to this Act by subpart 3 of Part 2 of the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023
child support, child support year, and formula assessment have the meanings in section 2(1) of the Child Support Act 1991.
The amendments apply only to income based on child support in respect of a period (whether all, or any part, of a child support year) that starts on or after 1 July 2023.
Clause 22 may be added to or displaced by transitional provisions or savings provisions prescribed by regulations made under clause 98(1) of Schedule 1 of the Social Security Act 2018.
amendments means the amendments made to these regulations by subpart 4 of Part 2 of the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Act 2023
The child support referred to in subclause (2) includes, but is not limited to, child support under a formula assessment or a voluntary agreement or an order of the court made or entered into before 1 July 2023.
27 March 2023
Introduction (Bill 241–1)
28 March 2023
First reading and referral to Social Services and Community Committee
1 A formula assessment is used by Inland Revenue to determine who pays child support to whom, and the amount paid. Among other things, a formula assessment is based on both parents’ taxable incomes, the cost of raising a child, and the amount of time the child is in each parent’s care.
2 The information sharing agreement is effective from 1 July 2023.
3 Deprivation occurs where a person (or their partner) gives away or sells financial resources for less than their value. Deprivation of income may include the gifting or selling of income-bearing assets.