Changes to benefit and payment rates from 1 April 2026

Income and asset limits and cutout points 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.

When you'll get the increase

This year 1 April is a Wednesday.

If you're paid weekly

• In the week of 30 March, your payment will be at the current rate. This is because we pay you for the week that's just been.
• In the week of 6 April, you'll get part of your payment at the current rate, and part at the new rate. This is because 1 April falls in the middle of the pay period.
  Remember, if you usually get paid on a Tuesday, you'll get paid early on 3 April because of Easter.
• In the week of 13 April, your whole payment will be at the new, increased rate.

If you're paid fortnightly

• 1 April is partway through your pay period, so in your 7 April payment you'll get a part increase. Remember, you'll get paid early on 3 April because of Easter.
• You'll get the full increase in your following payment on 21 April 2026.

More people can get support

Income and asset limits and cutout points for some supports will go up on 1 April 2026.

This means more people could get things like:

• Accommodation Supplement
• Disability Allowance
• Childcare Assistance
• Community Services Card
• help with urgent or unexpected costs.

You can use Check What You Might Get (from 1 April) to check if you're now eligible for anything new.

About the increase

Each year on 1 April, benefits and most other supports change to reflect economic changes over the last year.

Most of our new rates are based on:

• cost of living (also called the 'Consumers Price Index') - went up by 3.11 percent, or
• average wage growth - went up by by 2.91 percent.

Main benefits are adjusted to the Consumers Price Index.

NZ Super, Veteran's Pension and some income thresholds are changed based on average wage growth.

Impact on your other payments

When your main benefit increases on 1 April, this may change other payments you get, 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 the 1 April changes won't be less than what you're getting now.

Changes to other payments if your main benefit goes up

How to check your payments

From Wednesday 1 April 2026, 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.