Pursuant to section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018, notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister for Social Development.

A copy of the instrument is available for free at: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/about-msd/legislation/notice-of-change.html.

This instrument, which comes into force on 8 June 2020, is the COVID-19 Income Relief Payment Programme and is made under section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018. The programme provides temporary non-recoverable special assistance to eligible people who have lost their employment due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Assistance under the programme is available to applicants who have experienced a loss of work between 1 March and 30 October 2020 due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Assistance is intended to provide up to 12 weeks’ non-taxable support as an alternative to a main benefit, to soften the economic shock from losing full time or part time employment. Although a person is not able to receive assistance under this programme at the same time as a main benefit, they may be eligible for supplementary assistance under the Social Security Act 2018.

The instrument is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and is administered by the Ministry for Social Development.

Dated this 3rd day of June 2020.

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI, Minister for Social Development.