Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These regulations, which come into force on 1 April 2019, are made under the Social Security Act 2018 (the Act). They amend the Social Security Regulations 2018 (the principal regulations) by increasing—
the amount payable under the Act as a funeral grant; and
the limits on certain allowable costs for which temporary additional support may be granted under the Act; and
the rates of childcare and OSCAR (out-of-school care and recreation) subsidies available under the Act to certain caregivers with dependent children; and
payments to an educator for providing a home-based education and care service for a child.
The increases reflect a 1.69% increase in the New Zealand Consumers Price Index from the December 2017 quarter to the December 2018 quarter (calculated for all quarters using the New Zealand Consumers Price Index (All Groups), excluding cigarettes and other tobacco products).
These regulations also insert new exemptions into Schedule 8 of the principal regulations to ensure that any payment received by a person on or after 1 April 2019 to correct an underpayment of their accommodation supplement between 1 April 2005 and the close of 31 March 2018 (inclusive) is not treated as income or cash assets for the purposes of determining their benefit entitlements under the Act. The exemptions apply only in respect of the first 12 months after the payment concerned was made.
Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2012.
Date of notification in Gazette: 28 February 2019.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Social Development.