Social Security Act 2018

Administration - Payment of benefits, tax on benefits, debts and deductions - Payment of benefits

338: Weekly instalments

You could also call this:

"Getting your benefit paid to you each week"

When you get a benefit, it is paid in weekly instalments. The number of weeks' benefit you get is decided by the Ministry of Social Development. Your benefit is paid on one or more days in the month, and the Ministry of Social Development decides which days. If you get a main benefit or the winter energy payment, it is paid for a 7-day week. This is also subject to section 74 and section 341, which have more information about how these payments work.

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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=DLM6783823.

Topics:

Money and consumer rights > Banking and loans

337: How benefits are paid, or

"Rules explain how you get your benefit money"

339: Payment generally to, or on account of, beneficiary personally, or

"How your benefit money is paid to you or someone else on your behalf"

Part 6Administration
Payment of benefits, tax on benefits, debts and deductions: Payment of benefits

338Weekly instalments

A benefit is payable in instalments of a number of weeks’ benefit.
The number of weeks’ benefit is as determined from time to time by MSD.
The instalments are payable on 1 or more days or dates in the month.
The 1 or more days or dates in the month is or are as determined from time to time by MSD.
A main benefit under this Act and the winter energy payment are payable in respect of a 7-day week.
This section is subject to section 74 (winter energy payment: instalments, rates, and payment) and section 341 (required manner of payment: youth money management for certain payments to young people).

Compare

1964 No 136 ss 82(1), (2A), 179(2), (3)

Notes

Section 338(6): amended, on 26 May 2025, by section 61 of the Social Security Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 25).