Paying Winter Energy Payment to clients with a Public Protection Order

A client with a Public Protection Order is paid the hospital rate of benefit from date of grant. A Public Protection Order is when a person has finished their sentence in prison but then for public safety they must remain in a secure residence. This is to protect members of the public from the almost certain harm from serious sexual or violent offences.

Winter Energy Payment can continue being paid to a client who is getting a hospital rate of benefit because they have a Public Protection Order, even if they do not pay for any heating costs. 

For more information see:

• Emergency Benefit Person detained under a Public Protection Order
• New Zealand Superannuation Person detained under a Public Protection Order
• Veteran’s Pension Person detained under a Public Protection Order