Social Security Act 2018

Obligations - Beneficiaries’ obligations - Specific obligations: social obligations in relation to dependent children

136: Person who fails to comply with obligations in relation to dependent children is subject to sanction

You could also call this:

"What happens if you don't meet your responsibilities to your kids: you might face a sanction."

Illustration for Social Security Act 2018

If you do not do what you are supposed to do for your dependent children, you might get a sanction. This can happen if the Ministry of Social Development thinks you did not have a good reason for not doing what you were supposed to do. You can find out more about sanctions in section 236, 236A, 236B, 237, or 238. You are supposed to do certain things for your dependent children, as stated in sections 131 to 135. However, you will not get a sanction under section 233(c) if it is not allowed by section 243AAA, 243, or 255.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on 19 July 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783372.

Topics:

Money and consumer rights > TaxesMoney and consumer rights > Banking and loansWork and jobs > Worker rightsFamily and relationships > Children and parenting

135: Interviews and reporting, or

"You might need to meet with MSD and tell them how you're caring for your kids"

137: Definitions and attendance: regulations made under section 430, or

"Rules about school, health checks, and words used in child education law"

Part 3Obligations
Beneficiaries’ obligations: Specific obligations: social obligations in relation to dependent children

136Person who fails to comply with obligations in relation to dependent children is subject to sanction

A person (P) is subject to a sanction under section 236, 236A, 236B, 237, or 238 if MSD is satisfied that P has, without a good and sufficient reason, failed to comply with an obligation in relation to dependent children under sections 131 to 135.
However, P is not subject to a sanction under section 233(c) if imposition of a sanction is precluded by section 243AAA, 243, or 255.

Compare

1964 No 136 s 116B(1)(b)

Notes

Section 136(1): amended, on 26 May 2025, by section 8(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 25).
Section 136(2): amended, on 26 May 2025, by section 8(3) of the Social Security Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 25).