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Social Security Act 2018

Consequential amendments

Schedule 5: Asset and income limits

You could also call this:

"Rules About How Much Money or Property You Can Have"

Illustration for Social Security Act 2018

You need to know about asset and income limits. These limits are part of the Social Security Act 2018. They are in a schedule, which is like an extra part of the act. The asset limits are like rules about how much money or property you can have. For example, if you are single with no kids, your asset limit is $1,368.68. If you are in a relationship or have kids, your limit is different. The income limits are like rules about how much money you can earn. For example, if you are single and 16 or 17 years old, your income limit is $625.16 per week. If you are older or have kids, your limit is different. There are also special rules for people with disabilities or who are sole parents.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6784890.

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5Asset and income limits Empowered by ss 67, 85, 91, 93, 452

Part 1Asset limits

The following table is small in size and has 3 columns. The columns have no headings.
1 For a single person without dependent children $1,368.68
2 For a person who is in a relationship with or without dependent children $2,280.58
3 For a sole parent with 1 dependent child $1,797.14
4 For any other sole parent $1,930.47
Notes
  • Schedule 5 Part 1 clause 1: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 1 clause 2: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 1 clause 3: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 1 clause 4: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).

Part 2Income limits

The following table is small in size and has 3 columns. Columns 1 and 2 have no heading and column 3 is headed Per week.
Per week
5 For a single person aged 16 or 17 years without dependent children $625.16
6 For any other single person without dependent children $718.48
7 For a person who is in a relationship with or without dependent children $1,043.60
8 For a sole parent with 1 dependent child $871.86
9 For any other sole parent $918.54
9A For the purposes only of section 67(e), the income limit for a community spouse or partner (as defined in Schedule 2) is the income limit in item 5, 6, 8, or 9 that would apply to them if they were single (and their other circumstances were unchanged).
Notes
  • Schedule 5 Part 2 clause 5: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 2 clause 6: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 2 clause 7: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 2 clause 8: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 2 clause 9: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 2 clause 9A: inserted, on , by section 10 of the Social Security (Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 65).

Part 3Disability allowance income limits

The following table is small in size and has 3 columns. Columns 1 and 2 have no heading and column 3 is headed Per week.
Per week
10 For a single person aged 16 or 17 years without dependent children $675.60
11 For any other single person without dependent children $843.78
12 For a person who is in a relationship with or without dependent children $1,256.07
13 For a sole parent with 1 dependent child $942.23
14 For any other sole parent $992.74
Notes
  • Schedule 5 Part 3 clause 10: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 3 clause 11: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 3 clause 12: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 3 clause 13: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).
  • Schedule 5 Part 3 clause 14: amended, on , by clause 7(1) of the Social Security (Rates of Benefits and Allowances) Order 2025 (SL 2025/9).