Clause 1. Interpretation

1

Interpretation

1.1

In this direction, unless the context otherwise requires,-

Act means the Social Security Act 2018;

advance means an advance payment of instalments of a Benefit under section 347 of the Act;

beneficiary-

(a)

means the person granted a benefit; and

(b)

includes the spouse or partner of the person referred to in paragraph (a) if some or all of that benefit is payable to that spouse or partner under section 337 of the Act and regulation 191 of the Social Security Regulations 2018.

Canterbury earthquake means the earthquake that occurred on 4 September 2010 in Canterbury, and includes all of its aftershocks.

cash assets, in relation to any person-

(a)

mean assets of that person and his or her spouse or partner (if any) that can be readily converted into cash and include-

(i)

shares, stocks, debentures, bonus bonds, and other bonds;

(ii)

bank accounts, including fixed and term deposits with any bank, friendly society, credit union, or building society;

(iii)

money invested with or lent to any bank or other financial institution or person;

(iv)

the net equity held in any property or land not used as the person's home;

(v)

building society shares;

(vi)

mortgage investments and other long term loans;

(vii)

bills of exchange or promissory notes;

(viii)

the applicants share in any partnership; but

(b)

do not include-

(i)

the motor vehicle principally used by the person for his or her personal use;

(ii)

a caravan, boat, or other vehicle the net equity in which is less than $2,000;

(iii)

a caravan, boat, or other vehicle which is used by the person or a member of his or her immediate family for day to day accommodation;

(iv)

the personal effects of the person and his or her Spouse or partner (if any);

(v)

any payment or item declared not to be cash assets by Part 1 of Schedule 8 of the Social Security Regulations 2018;

(vi)

money the person has been required to contribute in lieu of rent and held to the credit of the person by a provider contracted by the department to provide short-term accommodation to the person and his or her household under the Government's short-term housing response scheme in Christchurch.

Immediate Needs, in relation to a Beneficiary, means all of the Beneficiary's essential needs, including-

(a)

the Beneficiary's Particular Immediate Need; and

(b)

his or her ability to meet the regular and ongoing essential living expenses of the Beneficiary and his or her Spouse or partner and Dependent Children (if any);

(revoked)

MSD has the same meaning as in Schedule 2 of the Act

Particular Immediate Need, in relation to a Beneficiary, means a particular and immediate need for an essential item or service.

preferred supplier means a person, body, or organisation with whom MSD has, under section 366 of the Act, contracted for the supply of goods and services for purchase by beneficiaries or other persons.

1.2

Expressions otherwise defined in Schedule 2 of the Act are to have the meanings so defined.