Phone: (04) 529 8108   Fax: (04) 529 8106   3 Perry  St, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt   PO Box 48 039

The brief outline of some of the main benefits below provides a basic idea but the requirements and obligations can be are quite complex so check on Work and Income Manuals and Procedures for more information and contact us to check out your eligibility.  Note that the W&I view is not the only  one and have been successfully challenged.

Sample rates given below are weekly and nett (tax paid) as at 1 October 2008.

 

NEW ZEALAND SUPERANNUATION (NZ Super)

Available to persons over 65 meeting residency requirements.  These are basically  ordinarily NZ residents who have been both resident and present in NZ for period/s totalling 10 years since age 20 and 5 years since age 60 and their 'qualifying' or 'unqualifying' partner.  A higher 'living alone' rate of benefit is payable if the superannuitant is not sharing living expenses.  [$ Single, Alone 297.79 - Sharing,  275.80.  Couple, both qualify 462.74 - unqualified spouse 440.10]  Unlike other benefits, there is no abatement of NZ Super for other income.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS  FOR BENEFITS OTHER THAN NZ SUPER

Residency requirements are generally; two years residence in NZ at any time or  refugee staus with permanent residence and ordinarily resident in NZ.  

Age requirements are  generally 18 years, or 16 years and married with dependent children

Income requirement is generally that the person does not have income sufficient to fully abate the benefit.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (UB)

Not in 30 hours per week employment but seeking, available for, and willing to undertake, it. The unemployment benefit is work tested which means that Work and Income (W&I) may require certain activities. [$ Single 18-19 Home 122.77, Away 153.46.  Single 20-24, 153.46 - 25+ 184.17, Couple 306.92 - Parents, Sole 263.78, Couple 306.92]

SICKNESS BENEFIT (SB)

As UB but limited work ability or reduced earnings because of sickness injury or disability or more than 26 week pregnancy. [$  As UB]

INVALIDS BENEFIT (IB)

As for SB but totally blind or expected to be unable to  work 15 hours per week or more and that situation is likely to continue for two years or more or life expectancy is less than two years.  [$  Single, 16-17, 186.28 - 18+, 230.18. Couple 383.36.  Parents, Sole 302.40 - Couple 383.66]

DOMESTIC PURPOSES BENEFIT - Single Parent (DPB-SP)

Work ability limited by caring for dependent  child/ren at least 40% of the time and not being supported by partner or other parent. [$  263.78]

DOMESTIC PURPOSES BENEFIT - Caregiver , Sick or Infirm (DPB-CSI)

Work ability limited by need to provide full time care for a person  (not the applicants spouse) who would otherwise need to be in hospital or full time residential care.  [$  Single, 16-17, 186.28, 18+ 230.19.  Sole parent, 302.40, Half couple, 191.83]

DOMESTIC PURPOSES BENEFIT  - Woman Alone (DPB-WA) or WIDOWS BENEFIT (WB)

Woman unsupported after long period of marriage/motherhood.  [$  191.83]

UNSUPPORTED CHILD BENEFIT (UCB) and ORPHAN"S BENEFIT (OB) and CARE  SUPPLEMENT

Paid to preson/s caring for another's child.   [$   Different age-dependent rates]

INDEPENDENT YOUTH BENEFIT (IYB)

16-17 years unable to support themselves after breakdown of relationship with parents.   [$  153.46]

EMERGENCY BENEFITS

Discretionary benefits in cases of hardship where the person does not fully qualify for the benefit.