Winter Energy Payment : Contents
Change in family circumstances affects rate of Winter Energy Payment
The rate of Winter Energy Payment paid may need to be increased or decreased when:
- there is a change in the client’s relationship status or
- the first dependent child comes into the client’s care, or the last dependent child leaves the client’s care
The date to apply the change in rate will depend on the action involved. Generally, MSD should:
Increase
- increase Winter Energy Payment rate from the actual date of the change in circumstances. For example, the client adds a partner, or a single person includes a dependent child in their benefit.
Reduce, suspend or cancel
- reduce, suspend or cancel Winter Energy Payment from the first available date except where the client advises of a change more than 14 days after the event. For example, the last dependent child is excluded from a single client’s benefit, or a couple separates.
Care and protection concerns
When a child has come into a client’s care, MSD should consider if there are any care and protection concerns.
If MSD believes any child has been, or is likely to be harmed (physically, emotionally or sexually), ill-treated, abused, neglected, deprived or MSD has concerns about the wellbeing of the child, the case must be referred to Oranga Tamariki.
MSD staff must notify Oranga Tamariki if they are aware that the child’s sole caregiver has been remanded in custody and/or sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
For more information see:
Legislation
- No entitlement, or entitlement only at different rate section 306 Social Security Act 2018
