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loginChanges to benefit rates from 1 April 2024
12 March 2024.
On 1 April 2024 benefit rates will increase due to the Annual General Adjustment. Income and asset limits for some support will also go up, which means more people can get support from us.
The rate changes will happen automatically, you don't need to do anything.
What's changing
Check out the new rates:
More people can get support
Income and asset limits for some financial supports will also go up. This means more people could get things like:
- Accommodation Supplement
- Disability Allowance
- childcare assistance
- help with urgent and unexpected costs, and
- Community Services Card.
When you'll get the increase
This year 1 April is a Monday.
If you're paid weekly
- Your payment in the week of 1 April will be paid at the old rate. This is because we pay you for the week that's just been.
- You'll get the full increase in your payment in the week of 8 April.
If you're paid fortnightly
- 1 April is partway through your pay period, so on 9 April you'll get a partial increase.
- You'll get the full increase on 23 April.
1 April is also Easter Monday. If your normal pay day is Tuesday 2 April, your payment will be processed early. This means it may be paid into your bank account from Friday 29 March. Processing times may vary depending on which bank you're with.
About the increase
The Annual General Adjustment happens every year on 1 April. On this day benefits and some financial supports are adjusted to account for the cost of living (inflation) or average wage growth.
The new rates are based on either the:
- Consumer Price Index (4.66% rise), or
- net average wage (5.28% rise).
This includes main benefits, NZ Super, Veteran's Pension and Student Allowance.
Impact on your other payments
When your main benefit increases, you may find this changes other payments you get from us, like Accommodation Supplement or Temporary Additional Support.
If you have housing contributions for emergency, transitional, or social housing, your contributions may change as well.
The total amount you get from us after 1 April won’t be less than what you’re getting now.
How to check your payments
From Monday 1 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
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