Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Reviews and appeals - Appeals to appeal authority - Appeal authority

401: Social security appeal authority

You could also call this:

“A group that helps people challenge decisions about their social security benefits”

The government has set up a special group called the social security appeal authority. This group helps people who disagree with decisions about their social security benefits. You can find more information about how this group works in Schedule 8 of the law.

The appeal authority acts like a judge to listen to and decide on appeals. These appeals are about specific things mentioned in sections 397, 398, or 399 of the law.

When the appeal authority is looking at your case, they can do everything that MSD (Ministry of Social Development) could do about the same issue. This means they have the power to make decisions just like MSD would.

If there are small mistakes in how the appeal process is done, it doesn’t mean the whole process is invalid. The appeal can still go ahead even if some paperwork isn’t perfect.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783957.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Banking and loans
Government and voting > Government departments
Previous

400: Appeal must be begun within 60 working days of notification or further allowed period, or

“You have 60 working days to appeal a decision about your social security, or you can ask for more time”

Next

402: Act does not affect appeals to authority under other enactments, or

“Other laws still let you appeal, even with this Act in place”

Part 7 Reviews and appeals
Appeals to appeal authority: Appeal authority

401Social security appeal authority

  1. The social security appeal authority (and every special social security appeal authority, if any) is established and operates under Schedule 8.

  2. The appeal authority sits as a judicial authority to hear and determine appeals under section 397, 398, or 399.

  3. In hearing and determining an appeal, the authority has all the duties, functions, and powers that MSD had in respect of the same matter.

  4. Proceedings before the authority must not be held invalid for want of form.

Compare