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Social Security Act 2018

Assistance - Winter energy payment

74: Winter energy payment: instalments, rates, and payment

You could also call this:

“How you get your winter energy payment and how much you get”

You can receive a winter energy payment to help with your heating costs during the colder months. If you get a main benefit, you’ll receive this payment in 22 weekly instalments. If you get New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension, you’ll get it in 11 fortnightly instalments.

The amount you receive for each instalment depends on the total amount set for the winter period in Part 8 of Schedule 4. If you get a main benefit, the total is divided by 22. If you get superannuation or a veteran’s pension, it’s divided by 11. This amount is then rounded up to the nearest cent.

Your payment might be reduced if there are days when you’re not entitled to it or if it can’t be paid for some reason. The payment will be made on the usual day you receive your benefit or pension.

These rules about the winter energy payment are more important than some other rules about how benefits are usually paid.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS4446.

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Part 2 Assistance
Winter energy payment

74Winter energy payment: instalments, rates, and payment

  1. A winter energy payment is payable,—

  2. if the person’s qualifying benefit is a main benefit under this Act, in 22 weekly instalments; or
    1. if the person’s qualifying benefit is New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension, in 11 fortnightly instalments.

      1. The amount of an instalment is ascertained by dividing the appropriate rate per winter period set out in Part 8 of Schedule 4,—

      2. for recipients of a main benefit under this Act, by 22; or
        1. for recipients of New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension, by 11.

          1. However, the amount ascertained under subsection (2) must be rounded up to the nearest whole cent, and then reduced to reflect any 1 or more days of the week or fortnight covered by the instalment that are days for which—

          2. the person is not entitled to the payment; or
            1. the payment is not payable (for example, under section 220).

              1. An instalment must be paid on the relevant payment date.

              2. This section overrides sections 297, 311(1), and 338.

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