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Social Security Act 2018

Enforcement: sanctions and offences - Sanctions for breach of obligations other than young person or young parent obligations - Types of sanction

233A: Cancellation of main benefit for continuing failure to comply

You could also call this:

"Your main benefit can be stopped if you don't do what you're supposed to do and you've already been warned."

If you get a main benefit, MSD can cancel it if you do not do what you are supposed to do. This can happen if MSD has already given you a sanction under section 232 and you still do not comply with your obligations within 13 weeks. You must comply with the obligations you failed to meet, which you still have to do, as per section 321 or 322.

If your main benefit is cancelled, you will have to apply for it again to get it back, and you will have to show that you are eligible for it. You can only get your main benefit back if you meet the requirements.

This rule does not apply if section 320 applies to you, and it is also subject to sections 236D(3)(d) and 245 to 248.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1444277.

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Part 5Enforcement: sanctions and offences
Sanctions for breach of obligations other than young person or young parent obligations: Types of sanction

233ACancellation of main benefit for continuing failure to comply

  1. MSD must cancel a person’s (P’s) main benefit if—

  2. MSD has, under section 232, imposed a sanction described in subsection (2)(a) or (b) of that section on P; and
    1. P fails to recomply, within 13 weeks after the sanction takes effect, with each obligation—
      1. for which the sanction was imposed for a failure to comply with; and
        1. that P has not ceased to have (including, without limitation, under section 321 or 322); and
        2. section 320 does not apply to P.

          1. On cancellation under this section of P’s main benefit, to be again entitled to a main benefit under this Act, P must apply for the benefit and establish that P is eligible for it.

          2. This section is subject to sections 236D(3)(d) and 245 to 248.

          Notes
          • Section 233A: inserted, on , by section 14(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 25).