Changes to payments from 1 April 2023

Check out the new rates:

These rates are indicative and subject to Cabinet approval.

Your first payment in April

Your first payment in April will be partly paid at the new rates. This is because 1 April falls on a Saturday, which is partway through the pay period.

You'll get the full increase in your second payment, either in the week of:

• 10 April, if you're paid weekly, or
• 24 April, if you're paid fortnightly.

Some payment dates in these weeks could change due to Easter.

About the increase

The Annual General Adjustment is a yearly process of adjusting benefit and payment rates to account for inflation. This includes main benefits, NZ Superannuation, Veteran's Pension and Student Allowance.

The new rates are based on either the:

• Consumer Price Index (7.22% rise), or
• net average wage (6.24% rise).

Extra increase for main benefits

Main benefits are based on the net average wage. This year the Government has announced an extra increase to main benefits of 0.98%. This is so main benefit rates match the Consumer Price Index. This change will support more people and whānau to manage the increased cost of living.

Impact on your other payments

When your main benefit increases, this may affect some of your other payments like Accommodation Supplement or Temporary Additional Support. These other payments could increase or decrease, depending on your situation.

How to check your payments

From Monday 3 April you can check your new payments by either:

• logging in to MyMSD, or
• calling our Service Express self-service line on 0800 33 30 30