The Beehive building

Notice of changes to Social Security Act welfare programmes and/or Ministerial directions

We publish notices of changes, and the document setting out the changes, to make sure changes to legislation are open, transparent and publicly available.

Consolidated versions of welfare programmes and Ministerial directions are available on Map.

Browse: Current | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
1 June 2023

This instrument amends the Flexi-wage Employment Assistance Programme (established and approved on 9 February 2021).

23 May 2023

This instrument, which comes into force on 29 June 2023, amends the Christchurch Mosques Attack Welfare Programme (principal programme) established and approved on 27 May 2019 and made under the Social Security Act 2018. The amendment extends the expiry date of the principal programme to 30 June 2024.

1 April 2023

This instrument amends the directions and welfare programmes specified in Schedules 1 and 2 (the principal directions and welfare programmes). It comes into force on 1 April 2023.

6 March 2023

This instrument, which comes into force 28 days after this notice is given, amends the Employment and Work Readiness Assistance Programme established and approved on 6 March 2014 under section 124(1)(d) of the Social Security Act 1964 and saved by clause 21 of schedule 1 of the Social Security Act 2018 as if it was approved and established under section 101 of that Act.

9 February 2023

This instrument, which comes into force on 13 March 2023, amends the Recoverable Assistance Programme to remove the ability for housing needs, assistance, or costs, provided under the Housing Support Programme, to be paid under the Recoverable Assistance Programme.

9 February 2023

This welfare programme under the Social Security Act 2018, which comes into force on 13 March 2023, provides for MSD (in its discretion) to provide special financial assistance within the limits set out in this programme, to help eligible people obtain and retain rental housing in New Zealand.

2 November 2022

This instrument, which comes into force on 1 December 2022, amends the Special Needs Grants Programme established and approved under section 124(1)(d) of the Social Security Act 1964 and saved by clause 21 of schedule 1 of the Social Security Act 2018 as if it was a special assistance programme under section 101.

29 June 2022

This instrument, which comes into effect on 5 August 2022, amends the Employment and Work Readiness Assistance Programme.

29 June 2022

This instrument, which comes into force on 4 and 5 August 2022, makes various changes to the programme. 

1 June 2022

This instrument, which comes into force on 1 July 2022, permanently adjusts appropriate income thresholds in relation to the to the Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit, the Recoverable Assistance Programme and Special Needs Grants Programme under the Social Security Act 2018.