Pursuant to sections 7 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 9 November 2020, amends the Direction in relation to Emergency Benefit and Benefits on Ground of Hardship to include two new eligibility categories for when MSD is exercising its discretion under section 63 of the Social Security Act 2018.

The two new categories are for:

• an applicant who would be eligible for supported living payment except they are caring full-time for a superannuitant spouse or partner; and
• an applicant who would be eligible for jobseeker support except they have a superannuitant spouse or partner and are the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged under 14 years.

This is as a result of the closure of the option to include a non-qualified spouse or partner as a result of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pension Legislation Amendment Act 2020.

The instrument is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012.

The instrument is administered in the Ministry for Social Development.

Dated this 7th day of September 2020.

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI, Minister for Social Development.