Cash assets
Cash assets mean assets of the client and partner (if any) that can be easily converted into cash.
Cash assets include
- bills of exchange or promissory notes
- building society shares
- money in bank accounts, including fixed and term deposits with any bank, friendly society, credit union, or building society
- money invested with or lent to any bank, other financial institution or person
- money withdrawn from a KiwiSaver scheme
- mortgage investments and other long term loans
- shares, stocks, debentures, bonus bonds and bonds
- the client's share in any partnership and
- the net equity held in any property or land not used as the person's home
Cash assets do not include
- the home property and land on which it is situated
- a motor vehicle principally used by the client for their personal use
- a caravan, boat or other vehicle with a net equity less than $2000, or which is used by the person or a member of their family for day to day accommodation
- personal effects of the person or their partner
- Christchurch mosques attack support payments
- Crown funds provided directly to clients to purchase Support Services and Direct Disability Support payments
- funds locked into KiwiSaver and other retirement scheme accounts
- Information share Child Support payments currently being charged as income
- Māori land where the title is in a tribal trust and individual ownership cannot be identified, the client cannot realise or readily convert the land into a cash asset
Note you should consult Legal Services if you are unsure about the ownership of Māori land. - MSD lump sum payments for the first 12 months after the payment is made
- Payments of Accommodation Supplement arrears due to system processing error from 1993 to 2014
- Payments of arrears to Special Benefit clients better off on Temporary Additional Support for the first 12 months after the payment is made
- Payments to clients whose Kāinga Ora tenancy was terminated due to methamphetamine contamination for the first 12 months after the payment is made
- Residential Care Subsidy historic review refunds for the first 12 months after the payment is made
- Severe weather event payments for the first 12 months from when payment is received (and any interest earned on the payment)
- specified Ex gratia and Compensation payments
- FamilyBoost Tax Credit payments for the first 12 months after payment is received
- Bonus Payment for the first 12 months after the payment is made
A bank overdraft facility is not considered a cash asset or resource available to a client.
Canterbury earthquake related payments
Payments made by the Crown, Earthquake Commission, insurance companies or the Canterbury Earthquake Commission (Red Cross) relating to the Canterbury earthquake are generally excluded for the first 12, or 24 months following the date the client received the payment.
For more information see:
- KiwiSaver
- Superannuation scheme accounts
- Ex gratia and Compensation payments
- Payments from Canterbury Earthquake Commission (Red Cross)
- Payments from Earthquake Commission and insurance companies (Canterbury earthquake 2010 and 2011 aftershock)
- Payments from the Crown for the purchase of property in the Canterbury red zone
Legislation
- cash assets (definition) clause 1 Direction on Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit
- Cash assets and income exemptions schedule 8 Social Security Regulations 2018
