Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Enforcement: sanctions and offences - Sanctions for breach of obligations other than young person or young parent obligations - Special cases: variations on ordinary sanctions rules

244A: Meaning of default amount of main benefit payable

You could also call this:

"What is the usual amount of money you get from a main benefit?"

Illustration for Social Security Act 2018

When you hear the term 'default amount of main benefit payable', it refers to the amount of money you would normally get from a main benefit. This amount is calculated before any changes are made under sections 245 to 248. You get this amount based on the normal rate of the main benefit you are eligible for, without considering any reductions due to your income. The amount also depends on the income test that applies to your situation and any regulations that affect how benefits are paid, as outlined in section 442(2)(e) and section 337, as well as other laws that may require deductions from your benefit.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=LMS1444431.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > TaxesMoney and consumer rights > Banking and loansWork and jobs > Worker rightsFamily and relationships > Children and parenting
Previous

244: Variation for failure to comply with work-test obligation to accept offer of suitable employment, or

"Your benefit will be cancelled if you refuse a suitable job offer"

Next

245: Variation for breach of specified obligation by one spouse or partner, or

"What happens to your benefit if one partner doesn't meet their obligations"

Part 5Enforcement: sanctions and offences
Sanctions for breach of obligations other than young person or young parent obligations: Special cases: variations on ordinary sanctions rules

244AMeaning of default amount of main benefit payable

  1. In sections 245 to 248, default amount of main benefit payable, for a spouse or partner or sole parent, means any amount of a main benefit payable to them in accordance with the following (applied before, and disregarding, all variations under sections 245 to 248):

  2. the applicable rate of the main benefit payable to them (before any reduction on account of income):
    1. the appropriate income test applying to that rate:
      1. regulations made under section 442(2)(e) (regulations: payments: apportionment) for the purposes of section 337 (how benefits are paid):
        1. all other legislation that affects (for example, that requires deductions from) any amount of the main benefit payable to them.

          Notes
          • Section 244A: inserted, on , by section 24(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 25).