Payment

The Winter Energy Payment is a non-taxable payment paid with a client's qualifying benefit.

The rate paid depends on whether clients are single, married, or in a civil union or de facto relationship, or have children.

It is paid either weekly or fortnightly, depending on whether the clients are paid a benefit weekly or a pension fortnightly.

The rates of Winter Energy Payment are not changed annually.

Winter Energy Payment divided equally for couples getting a main benefit

For client's getting a married, civil union or de facto rate of benefit, the Winter Energy Payment is paid equally to each person, 50% to the client and 50% to the partner.

For clients who are getting a main benefit the Winter Energy Payment is paid from Monday to Sunday and payment is made 1 week in arrears.

When Winter Energy Payment not paid equally to couples

There are some situations when a couple will receive different benefits as they are receiving it in their own right.

In these cases, the Winter Energy Payment can only be paid to 1 person in the couple at the full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment.

Winter Energy Payment not paid equally to New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension couples

For couples receiving New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension, Winter Energy Payments are only paid at the full couple rate to 1 person.

Clients receiving New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension are paid the Winter Energy Payment fortnightly from Wednesday to Tuesday, in arrears.