Examples of what an agent can do

The following rights and responsibilities are those listed on the Ministry of Social Development "Appointment of an Agent" form - other forms or letters granting agency may be worded differently, or may have different rights and responsibilities.

Whatever form or letter is used, it is important to ensure that all parties (the client, the agent and Work and Income, Senior Services or Housing Assessment) have a clear and common understanding of what is being agreed to.

A client can give (or not give) an agent any of the following agency powers, and place limitations on the scope of the powers:

• Accessing a client's file to obtain personal information

Where the client has given the agent this power, the agent can have access to information held by the Ministry of Social Development about the client, under the Privacy Act 2020

• Provide information such as income details, housing needs, change in circumstances
  Where the client has given the agent this power, the agent can provide information on their behalf, for example changes of address or income details
• Change details that appear in the client's personal file
  Where the client has given the agent this power, the agent can update or correct information held on the client's record
• Receive the client's mail from the Ministry of Social Development
  Where the client has given the agent this power, the agent can receive correspondence from Work and Income, Senior Services or Housing Assessment. For more information see: Adding an agent [no link find out why]
• Complete and sign Ministry of Social Development forms on behalf of the client
  Where the client has given the agent this power, the agent can fill out and sign forms on behalf of the client. Ensure that the client is fully aware of the serious nature of this power, and that responsibility for the agent's actions remains with the client
• Receive part or all of the client's benefit payments
  Where the client and the Ministry of Social Development approve the arrangement, an agent can be authorised to receive part or all of the client's benefit payments as a redirection of benefit or pension payment. This is at the discretion of the Ministry of Social Development, and is dependent on there being good cause to do so, therefore it must be treated separately from the agency. The client and agent are required to complete a Redirection of Benefit Payment form
• Deal with money the client owes to the Ministry of Social Development, which may include arranging repayment
• Speak or make enquiries on behalf of the client
• Have authority over the client's affairs, as granted by a current Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney
  Relevant if the client has previously signed a Power of Attorney with the agent, and the document is still current
• Provide information about housing need to the Ministry of Social Development
• Speak to social housing provider when there is a potential property match or offer, and the agent has agreed for their details to be given to the provider

For more information see: