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Social Security Act 2018

Administration - Application, inquiry, and grant - Inquiry

299: Exception during epidemic

You could also call this:

“Special rules for getting benefits during an epidemic”

When there’s an epidemic in New Zealand, the government can make special rules. During this time, and for a while after, MSD (which stands for the Ministry of Social Development) can give you a benefit even if they haven’t checked your claim as much as they usually would. This is to help people get support quickly during difficult times.

Normally, MSD would look into your claim carefully before giving you a benefit. But when there’s an epidemic, they might not do this full check. They can still give you the benefit to make sure you get help fast.

This special rule applies when there’s an official notice about the epidemic, and for some time after the notice ends. The Minister decides how long after the notice this rule should still apply.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783767.

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Part 6 Administration
Application, inquiry, and grant: Inquiry

299Exception during epidemic

  1. This subsection applies to any period comprising—

  2. the period when a domestic epidemic management notice is in force; and
    1. a period after the notice expires that the Minister thinks reasonable in the circumstances.

      1. During a period to which subsection (1) applies, MSD may grant a benefit to a person even if the claim for it has not been at all, or has not been fully, inquired into as required by section 298.

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