Income Support Package starts 1 April

On 1 April 2020, main benefit rates will increase by 3.09%, in line with changes to the average wage. Previously the annual adjustment was based on the Consumers Price Index (CPI).

Check out the new rates here:

Main benefits include:

• Jobseeker Support
• Supported Living Payment
• Sole Parent Support
• Youth Payment
• Young Parent Payment
• Emergency Benefit.

NZ Super and Veteran’s Pension will increase by 3.08% on 1 April, so they remain at 66% of the net average wage.

Most other payments and allowances are increasing by 1.66% on 1 April, in line with the Consumers Price Index.

When you’ll be paid the new rate

If you’re paid weekly, you’ll get a part payment at the new rate in the week 6 April, and a full payment at the new rate in the week 13 April.

If you get paid fortnightly you’ll get a full payment at the new rate in the week 13 April.

Getting Temporary Additional Support

If you get Temporary Additional Support and your benefit or pension payment goes up, in most cases your Temporary Additional Support will go down.

The total amount you get from us will not be less than what you were getting before 1 April.

From 1 April 2020, you’ll be able to earn more each week before your benefit reduces. This is sometimes called the abatement threshold.

	Abatement thresholds
Benefit	Current	1 April 2020
Jobseeker Support	$80	$90
Sole parents and Supported Living Payment	$100	$115
NZ Super or Veteran's Pension with a non-qualifying partner	$100	$115

Any changes to your payments will be calculated automatically. You don’t need to do anything.

Currently if you get a benefit paid at a sole parent rate, and you don’t apply for child support or name the other parent of your child, your benefit payment is reduced.

From 1 April 2020, your payment will no longer be reduced because of this. You don’t need to do anything. Any changes to your payments will be calculated automatically.

This change takes effect from 1 April 2020, and is not backdated.