Client getting Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit, or Foster Care Allowance
Clients must receive a qualifying benefit to get Winter Energy Payment.
Orphans Benefit, Unsupported Childs Benefit or Foster Care Allowance are not qualifying benefits.
Client getting a main benefit and, Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit
A client who is getting a qualifying benefit and who is also getting an Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit for a child in their care can get Winter Energy Payment, and at the higher rate.
A client who is only getting Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit for a child in their care, cannot get Winter Energy Payment, as they are not getting a qualifying benefit.
Client receiving a Foster Care Allowance
A client who is getting a qualifying benefit and also getting a Foster Care Allowance from Oranga Tamariki can get the Winter Energy Payment, and at the higher rate.
Note when a foster child is the only child in a single client's care, they will need to tell the Ministry of Social Development to get paid the higher rate of Winter Energy Payment.
Where a client is only receiving a Foster Care Allowance and not receiving a qualifying benefit, they cannot get the Winter Energy Payment.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Winter Energy Payment: interpretation section 71 Social Security Act 2018
- Winter Energy Payment: requirements section 72 Social Security Act 2018
