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Social Security Act 2018

Summary of changes

These summaries explain recent changes to the law. They are generated by AI comparing versions of the legislation, so they might oversimplify, miss details, or get things wrong. Learn more about how we track these changes.

19 May 2025

  • The rates of benefits in Schedule 4 have been increased with various weekly benefit amounts rising
  • Asset and income limits in Schedule 5 have been amended with various rates increased

Affected provisions

  1. 4: Rates of benefits
    The rates of benefits in Schedule 4 have been increased with various weekly benefit amounts rising
  2. 5: Asset and income limits
    Asset and income limits in Schedule 5 have been amended with various rates increased

19 July 2025

  • Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  • Introduced 'jobseeker profiles' as a factor affecting benefits in Part 4
  • Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B
  • Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'
  • Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  • Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  • Updated provisions related to the effect of cancellation of benefits on supplementary benefits and spouse or partner entitlement
  • Amended regulations and exceptions for specified benefits based on prescribed circumstances
  • Introduced changes to the manner of payment of certain payments to people subject to a sanction for a first failure
  • Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  • Revised the use of automated electronic systems to make decisions and exercise powers
  • Updated appeals and reviews provisions
  • Amended funeral grant eligibility criteria

Affected provisions

  1. DLM678352
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  2. 1: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
    Amended regulations and exceptions for specified benefits based on prescribed circumstances
  3. 5: Guide to this Act
    Introduced 'jobseeker profiles' as a factor affecting benefits in Part 4
  4. 7: Minister may give MSD binding directions
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  5. 93: Funeral grant: eligibility if deceased person is child
    Amended funeral grant eligibility criteria
  6. 96: Temporary additional support: requirements
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  7. 101: Approved special assistance programmes
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  8. 109: Outline of beneficiary’s general and specific obligations
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  9. 119: Person who fails to comply with requirement to undergo work ability assessment is subject to sanction
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B
  10. 126: Person who fails to comply with work-preparation obligation subject to sanction
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B
  11. 136: Person who fails to comply with obligations in relation to dependent children is subject to sanction
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  12. 150: Use of drug test result
    Introduced changes to the manner of payment of certain payments to people subject to a sanction for a first failure
  13. 162: Obligations of young person granted youth support payment
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  14. 183: What this Part does
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations; Introduced 'jobseeker profiles' as a factor affecting benefits in Part 4
  15. 230: How non-entitlement period, etc, affects supplementary benefits, and spouse or partner
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Updated provisions related to the effect of cancellation of benefits on supplementary benefits and spouse or partner entitlement
  16. 232: Sanctions for failure to comply with certain obligations under this Act
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations; Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  17. 234: Hierarchy of sanctions
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations; Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  18. 235: Failure, and first, second, and third failure, defined for obligations other than young person or young parent obligations
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  19. 236: Sanction for first failure: reduction of rate of main benefit
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  20. 237: Sanction for second failure: suspension of main benefit
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  21. 238: Sanction for third failure: cancellation of main benefit
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  22. 239: Continuation of sanction following regrant of specified benefit
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  23. 242: Failures that cannot be counted
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  24. 245: Variation for breach of specified obligation by one spouse or partner
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  25. 246: Variation for breach of specified obligation by both spouses or partners
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  26. 247: Variation for reduction of rate of benefit (by half or to zero), or money management, suspension, or cancellation of benefit, or non-entitlement period, affecting couple with 1 or more dependent children
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  27. 248: Variation for reduction to zero of rate of main benefit, or suspension or cancellation of main benefit, or non-entitlement period, affecting sole parent
    Amended sanction provisions to include new sections 236A and 236B; Revised the application of sanctions for failures to comply with obligations
  28. 254: How notice of sanction or of non-financial sanction may be given
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  29. 256: When sanction takes effect
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  30. 262: Impossibility of remedying failure of work-preparation or work-test obligation
    Introduced 'jobseeker profiles' as a factor affecting benefits in Part 4; Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  31. 263: How person recomplies after failure to comply with drug-testing obligation
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  32. 265: Failure of drug test for purposes of recompliance constitutes third failure
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  33. 272: Effect of cancellation of youth payment on accommodation supplement or temporary additional support
    Updated provisions related to the effect of cancellation of benefits on supplementary benefits and spouse or partner entitlement
  34. 275: Sanctions for failure by young person required to receive youth services to comply with obligations: youth money management
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'; Updated provisions related to the effect of cancellation of benefits on supplementary benefits and spouse or partner entitlement; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  35. 276: Sanctions for failure by young person required to receive youth services to comply with obligations: other cases
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  36. 277: Sanctions for failure by young spouse or partner of specified beneficiary to comply with obligations: youth money management
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'
  37. 278: Sanctions for failure by young spouse or partner of specified beneficiary to comply with obligations: other cases
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'
  38. 282: Effect of cancellation of young parent payment
    Updated provisions related to the effect of cancellation of benefits on supplementary benefits and spouse or partner entitlement; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  39. 283: Effect of cancellation of young parent payment on accommodation supplement or temporary additional support
    Updated provisions related to the effect of cancellation of benefits on supplementary benefits and spouse or partner entitlement; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  40. 287: Procedure for imposing sanctions for failure to comply with young person or young parent obligation
    Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  41. 298: MSD must inquire into claim for benefit
    Introduced 'jobseeker profiles' as a factor affecting benefits in Part 4
  42. 320: Effect of no longer being subject to work-test or young person obligations
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  43. 321: Effect of no longer being subject to dependent children obligations
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  44. 322: Effect of no longer being subject to work-preparation obligations
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  45. 325: General rule if person’s entitlement to benefit ceases
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  46. 332: General rule
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations; Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions; Amended regulations and exceptions for specified benefits based on prescribed circumstances
  47. 334: Exceptions for specified benefit based on prescribed circumstances
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions; Amended regulations and exceptions for specified benefits based on prescribed circumstances
  48. 338: Weekly instalments
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  49. 339: Payment generally to, or on account of, beneficiary personally
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions
  50. 340: Required manner of payment: general
    Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions; Introduced changes to the manner of payment of certain payments to people subject to a sanction for a first failure
  51. 341: Required manner of payment: youth money management for certain payments to young people
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'; Introduced non-financial sanctions and updated related provisions; Introduced changes to the manner of payment of certain payments to people subject to a sanction for a first failure
  52. 342: Youth money management for certain payments to young people: exception if young person meets prescribed criteria for managing own payments
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  53. 344: Young person beneficiaries may elect youth money management
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  54. 345: Credit on payment card, etc, at end of youth money management
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'
  55. 346: Required manner of payment: payment on death of beneficiary
    Updated provisions related to 'youth money management'; Updated provisions related to young people and youth services
  56. 363A: Use of automated electronic systems to make decisions, exercise powers, comply with obligations, and take related actions
    Revised the use of automated electronic systems to make decisions and exercise powers
  57. 363D: Appeals and reviews unaffected
    Updated appeals and reviews provisions
  58. 381: Privacy report for orders adopting agreements with mutual assistance provisions
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  59. 391: Right to seek review of specified decision of MSD made under delegation
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  60. 396: Authority cannot hear and determine certain appeals on medical or capacity grounds
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations
  61. 418: Regulations: general
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations; Amended regulations and exceptions for specified benefits based on prescribed circumstances
  62. 441: Regulations: expiry and regrant of specified benefits
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations; Amended regulations and exceptions for specified benefits based on prescribed circumstances
  63. 457: Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 repealed
    Updated references to remove hyperlinks and jurisdiction 'nz' citations

24 December 2025

  • Sanctions for non-compliance with work ability assessments, work-preparation obligations, and dependent children obligations have been updated to include new sections 236E and 236H
  • Health and safety legislation now applies to work done under new sections 236E and 261C
  • Reductions of main benefit rates to zero under sections 236F and 236I have been added to the list of reductions that affect supplementary benefits
  • Sanctions for failure to comply with certain obligations now include reduction of main benefit rates or imposition of non-financial sanctions under sections 236, 236A, 236B, 236E, and 236H
  • The hierarchy of sanctions has been updated to include sections 236E and 236H as applicable sanctions for first failures
  • Eligibility criteria for sanctions for first failures under section 236 have been amended to include additional provisions and clarify non-financial sanction circumstances
  • New sanctions for report job search and upskilling have been added to the conditions under which a sanction continues following regrant of a specified benefit
  • Grounds for reducing or cancelling benefits due to breach of specified obligations by one or both spouses or partners have been updated to include new sections 236F, 236G, 236I, and 236J
  • Benefits or their rates may be subject to reduction, money management, suspension, or cancellation under additional sections, including 236F, 236G, 236I, and 236J
  • Notice requirements for sanctions have been updated to include non-financial sanctions under sections 236E and 236H, and exceptions have been expanded to include replacement sanctions under sections 236G and 236J
  • Replacement sanctions under sections 236G and 236J now take effect under additional circumstances
  • Circumstances under which a person may re-comply after failing to comply with an obligation have been updated to include report job search and upskilling
  • Effects of no longer being subject to work-test, young person, dependent children, or work-preparation obligations have been updated to include references to new sections 236E and 236H
  • New regulations have been added regarding community work experience, reporting job search, and upskilling under sections 236E, 236F, 236H, and 236I
  • Definitions of 'drug-testing obligation', 'job-search activity', and 'non-financial sanction' have been amended, and new definitions for 'report job search' and 'upskilling' have been inserted
  • Section 233A is now subject to additional provisions, including sections 236G and 236J
  • Section 252A has been amended to include additional references to sections 236E and 236H, and to sections 261C and 261D

Affected provisions

  1. 2: Dictionary
    Definitions of 'drug-testing obligation', 'job-search activity', and 'non-financial sanction' have been amended, and new definitions for 'report job search' and 'upskilling' have been inserted
  2. 119: Person who fails to comply with requirement to undergo work ability assessment is subject to sanction
    Sanctions for non-compliance with work ability assessments, work-preparation obligations, and dependent children obligations have been updated to include new sections 236E and 236H
  3. 126: Person who fails to comply with work-preparation obligation subject to sanction
    Sanctions for non-compliance with work ability assessments, work-preparation obligations, and dependent children obligations have been updated to include new sections 236E and 236H
  4. 136: Person who fails to comply with obligations in relation to dependent children is subject to sanction
    Sanctions for non-compliance with work ability assessments, work-preparation obligations, and dependent children obligations have been updated to include new sections 236E and 236H
  5. 181: Application of health and safety legislation, etc
    Health and safety legislation now applies to work done under new sections 236E and 261C
  6. 230: How non-entitlement period, etc, affects supplementary benefits, and spouse or partner
    Reductions of main benefit rates to zero under sections 236F and 236I have been added to the list of reductions that affect supplementary benefits
  7. 232: Sanctions for failure to comply with certain obligations under this Act
    Sanctions for failure to comply with certain obligations now include reduction of main benefit rates or imposition of non-financial sanctions under sections 236, 236A, 236B, 236E, and 236H
  8. 233A: Cancellation of main benefit for continuing failure to comply
    Section 233A is now subject to additional provisions, including sections 236G and 236J
  9. 234: Hierarchy of sanctions
    The hierarchy of sanctions has been updated to include sections 236E and 236H as applicable sanctions for first failures
  10. 236: Sanction for first failure: reduction of rate of main benefit
    Eligibility criteria for sanctions for first failures under section 236 have been amended to include additional provisions and clarify non-financial sanction circumstances
  11. 239: Continuation of sanction following regrant of specified benefit
    New sanctions for report job search and upskilling have been added to the conditions under which a sanction continues following regrant of a specified benefit
  12. 245: Variation for breach of specified obligation by one spouse or partner
    Grounds for reducing or cancelling benefits due to breach of specified obligations by one or both spouses or partners have been updated to include new sections 236F, 236G, 236I, and 236J
  13. 246: Variation for breach of specified obligation by both spouses or partners
    Grounds for reducing or cancelling benefits due to breach of specified obligations by one or both spouses or partners have been updated to include new sections 236F, 236G, 236I, and 236J
  14. 247: Variation for reduction of rate of benefit (by half or to zero), or money management, suspension, or cancellation of benefit, or non-entitlement period, affecting couple with 1 or more dependent children
    Benefits or their rates may be subject to reduction, money management, suspension, or cancellation under additional sections, including 236F, 236G, 236I, and 236J
  15. 248: Variation for reduction to zero of rate of main benefit, or suspension or cancellation of main benefit, or non-entitlement period, affecting sole parent
    Benefits or their rates may be subject to reduction, money management, suspension, or cancellation under additional sections, including 236F, 236G, 236I, and 236J
  16. 252: MSD must give notice of sanction
    Notice requirements for sanctions have been updated to include non-financial sanctions under sections 236E and 236H, and exceptions have been expanded to include replacement sanctions under sections 236G and 236J
  17. 252A: MSD must give notice of non-financial sanction
    Section 252A has been amended to include additional references to sections 236E and 236H, and to sections 261C and 261D
  18. 256: When sanction takes effect
    Replacement sanctions under sections 236G and 236J now take effect under additional circumstances
  19. 261: How person recomplies after failure to comply with obligation
    Circumstances under which a person may re-comply after failing to comply with an obligation have been updated to include report job search and upskilling
  20. 320: Effect of no longer being subject to work-test or young person obligations
    Effects of no longer being subject to work-test, young person, dependent children, or work-preparation obligations have been updated to include references to new sections 236E and 236H
  21. 321: Effect of no longer being subject to dependent children obligations
    Effects of no longer being subject to work-test, young person, dependent children, or work-preparation obligations have been updated to include references to new sections 236E and 236H
  22. 322: Effect of no longer being subject to work-preparation obligations
    Effects of no longer being subject to work-test, young person, dependent children, or work-preparation obligations have been updated to include references to new sections 236E and 236H
  23. 418: Regulations: general
    New regulations have been added regarding community work experience, reporting job search, and upskilling under sections 236E, 236F, 236H, and 236I