List of amendments
Unofficial consolidated version of the Recoverable Assistance Programme
-- as at 4 September 2026
Below is a list of amendments to the programme, starting with the most recent.
Source | Notes |
Instrument amending Welfare Programmes (Modernisation - Automated Decision-Making - End of School Year) 2026 Gazette notice: Effective date: 4 September 2026 | This instrument, which comes into force on 4 September 2026, amends nine welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018 in response to the amendments made through the Social Security (Modernisation) Amendment Act 2026 (Modernisation Act). The welfare programmes that are being amended are set out in Schedule 1 of this instrument. The instrument inserts provisions into the specified welfare programmes to reflect policy changes for the end of school year review process under the Modernisation Act. Under this process, a dependent child is excluded from being included in a caregiver's benefit or special assistance once the child turns 18, unless the caregiver confirms (and the Ministry is satisfied) that the child is not financially independent and is in school or tertiary education. The child will then continue to be included in the caregiver's benefit or special assistance until the earlier of the child being financially independent, leaving school or tertiary education, or until 31 December following the child's 18th birthday. The instrument incorporates the above policy changes into seven of the specified welfare programmes by inserting a new definition of dependent child in each programme. Under the new definition, the Ministry can include an 18 year old child as a dependent child for the purposes of an application for special assistance under each of the programmes, if either of the following circumstances apply:
The instrument also makes consequential amendments and minor editorial corrections to existing language in the welfare programmes. These amendments ensure that the welfare programmes continue to operate as intended following the changes made by the Modernisation Act. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2026 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2026 | This instrument, which comes into force on 1 April 2026, amends a number of Ministerial Directions and Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018: Clause 4 and Schedule 1:
Clause 4 and Schedule 2:
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Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2025 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2025 | This instrument, which comes into force on 1 April 2025, amends the directions in relation to Special Benefit and Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit and a number of Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018: Clause 4 and Schedule 1:
Clause 4 and Schedule 2:
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Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2024 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2024 | This instrument, which comes into force on 1 April 2024, amends the directions in relation to Special Benefit and Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit and a number of Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018: Clause 4 and Schedule 1:
Clause 4 and Schedule 2:
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Instrument amending Ministerial Direction and Welfare Programmes (Child Support Pass On) 2023 Gazette notice: Effective date: 22 August 2023 | This instrument, which comes into force on 22 August 2023, amends a Ministerial direction and multiple Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018 to give effect to the Child Support (Pass on) Acts Amendment Act 2023. The Ministerial direction and Ministerial welfare programmes that are being amended are set out in Schedules 1 and 2 of this instrument. The amendments clarify that when a person's weekly income is calculated, for the purposes of the direction and the welfare programmes outlined in Schedules 1 and 2, their weekly income will include both income calculated under clause 13 and Part 3A of Schedule 3 of the Social Security Act 2018. These amendments ensure that income calculated under Part 3A of Schedule 3 of the Social Security Act 2018, which relate to any information share child support payment, is explicitly included as weekly income in addition to any weekly income calculated under the general income charging rules under the Act. The amendments also make minor editorial corrections. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2023 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2023 | This instrument, which comes into force on 1 April 2023, amends the directions in relation to Special Benefit and Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit and a number of Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018: Clause 4 and Schedule 1:
Clause 4 and Schedule 2:
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Instrument amending Welfare Programmes 2023 Gazette notice: Effective date: 13 March 2023
| This instrument, which comes into force on 13 March 2023, amends the |
Instrument amending Ministerial Direction and Welfare Programmes (No 2) 2022 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 July 2022 | This instrument, which comes into force on 1 July 2022, permanently adjusts appropriate income thresholds in relation to the Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit, the Recoverable Assistance Programme and the Special Needs Grants Programme under the Social Security Act 2018. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2022 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2022
| This instrument, which comes into force on 1 April 2022, amends the directions in relation to Special Benefit and Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit and a number of Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018: Clause 4 and Schedule 1:
Clause 4 and Schedule 2:
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Instrument amending Ministerial Direction and Welfare Programmes (No 3) 2021 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 November 2021 | This instrument, which comes into force on 1 November 2021, amends the Direction on Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit, the Recoverable Assistance Programme and the Special Needs Grants Programme to change the income limits for assistance. In relation to the Special Needs Grants Programme, the income limits for emergency housing grants remain unchanged. These changes are intended to be in place for a 4-month period until 28 February 2022. A further amendment to the Ministerial Direction and Welfare Programmes will be made for 28 February 2022. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (No 2) 2021 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 July 2021 | This instrument, which comes into force on 1 July 2021, amends the specified ministerial directions and welfare programmes under section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018 in response to the removal of the "12 month rule" as facilitated by the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill which also comes into force on 1 July 2021. The 12 month rule refers to the requirement that in order for a caregiver to be eligible to receive the orphan's benefit or the unsupported child's benefit, they must be likely to be the principal caregiver of the child for at least 1 year from the date of the application for the payment. This instrument also amends the Direction in relation to Special Benefit to exclude allowances payable as a result of receiving the orphan's benefit or unsupported child's benefit from being considered "chargeable income". |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (No 2) 2018 Gazette notice: Effective date: 26 November 2018 | This instrument, which is made under sections 7 and 101 of the Social Security Act 2018 (the Act) and regulations 90 and 211 of the Social Security Regulations 2018 and comes into force on 26 November 2018, amends the Ministerial directions and welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964 (and saved by Schedule 1 of the Act) that are listed in the Schedule of this instrument in the manner set out in that Schedule. The amendments update references to provisions of the Social Security Act 1964 to equivalent provisions of the Act or the Social Security Regulations 2018 and for changes of language in the Act. It also revokes a spent direction and welfare programme. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2015 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2015 | This instrument, which comes into effect on 1 April 2015, amends two Ministerial directions and a number of Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964. Clause 4 and Schedule 1:
Clause 4 and Schedule 2 amends:
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Recoverable Assistance Programme Amendment 2014 Gazette notice: Effective date: 14 May 2014 | This instrument, which comes into effect on the day after it is made, amends the Recoverable Assistance Programme under the Social Security Act 1964 (the Act) to recognise that certain items for which recoverable assistance is available for optical needs may be supplied by a preferred supplier with whom the Ministry has entered into a contract under section 125AA of the Act. It also removes the ability to grant assistance towards the purchase of contact lens as assistance for that purpose is available through the Ministry of Health funding. |
Recoverable Assistance Programme Amendment 2013 Gazette notice: Effective date: 25 September 2013 | This instrument, which comes into effect on the day after it is made, amends the Recoverable Assistance Programme under the Social Security Act 1964 ("the Act") to recognise that certain items for which recoverable assistance is available for emergency household needs may be supplied by a preferred supplier with whom the Ministry has entered into a contract under section 125AA of the Act. |
Recoverable Assistance Programme Amendment 2013 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 September 2013 | This instrument which comes into effect on 1 September 2013, amends the Recoverable Assistance Programme under the Social Security Act 1964 as a result of amendments to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 that come into effect on 1 November 2013. The amendments to those rules will require all children under the age of 7 to use an approved child restraint. The amendments in the programme are to allow payments for approved child restraints for 5 and 6 year olds and make consequential amendments to reflect the changes in the rules. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (No 2) 2013 Gazette notice: Effective date: 15 July 2013 | This instrument, which comes into force on 15 July 2013, amends a number of Ministerial directions and welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964 (the Act). Clause 4 and Schedule 1 primarily updates references to benefits and sections under which those benefits are granted with references to the replacement benefits and sections enacted in the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Act 2013. A number of references to specific benefits are replaced with references to the new definition of the term main benefit under this Act inserted into section 3(1) of the Act. Clause 5 and Schedule 2 creates savings provisions for certain beneficiaries who on 15 July 2013 transfer to jobseeker support or supported living payment under section 40B of the Act from certain former benefits. |
Instrument Amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2012 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2012 | This instrument, which comes into effect on 1 April 2012, amends two Ministerial directions and a number of Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964. Clause 4 and Schedule 1 adjusts certain rates, standard costs, and limits to reflect a 1.77% increase in the New Zealand Consumers Price Index from the December 2010 quarter to the December 2011 quarter (calculated using the CPI All Groups excluding cigarettes and other tobacco products). Clause 4 and Schedule 2 amend the:
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Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (No. 3) 2011 Gazette notice: Effective date: 28 September 2011 | This instrument, which comes into effect on 28 September 2011, amends a number of Ministerial directions and welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964:
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Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2011 Gazette notice: Effective date: 9 February 2011 | This instrument amending Ministerial directions and welfare programmes, which comes into effect on the day that it is signed, excludes certain payments from a person's cash assets, which are considered in determining his or her eligibility to the types of social security assistance specified in this instrument. The exclusion is for money paid to a person by the Earthquake Commission or an insurance company in respect of the destruction of or any damage to any property caused by the Canterbury earthquake, or towards the costs of renting accommodation in place of residential premises destroyed or made uninhabitable by the Canterbury earthquake. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Direction and Welfare Programmes (No. 2) 2010 Gazette notice: Effective date: 27 September 2010 | This instrument which comes into effect on 27 September 2010, amends the Ministerial Direction on Advance Payments of Benefit and the following welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964 to align them with the amendments to that Act made by the Social Security (New Work Tests, Incentives, and Obligations) Amendment Act 2010:
This instrument also corrects some drafting errors in the Special Needs Grants Programme. |
Instrument amending Special Needs Grants and Recoverable Assistance Programmes and Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits 2010 Gazette notice: Effective date: 27 September 2010 | This instrument, which comes into effect on 27 September 2010, amends the Special Needs Grant Programme and the Recoverable Assistance Programme. The amendments give discretion to the chief executive to request an applicant for assistance under those programmes or an applicant's spouse or partner, or both, to undertake a budgeting activity in certain circumstances that are specified in the new clause 9.13 of the Special Needs Grant Programme and new clause 9.6 of the Recoverable Assistance Programme. They also give discretion to the chief executive to refuse to make a grant or payment under those programmes if the applicant or the applicant's spouse or partner has failed to do any of the following:
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Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (No. 3) 2010 Gazette notice: Effective date: 13 September 2010 | This instrument amending Ministerial directions and welfare programmes, which comes into effect on the day that it is signed, excludes certain payments from a person's cash assets, which are considered in determining his or her eligibility to the types of social security assistance specified in this instrument. The exclusion is for payments made in relation to the effects of the Canterbury earthquake from the fund created by donations made to the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal of the New Zealand Red Cross Incorporated and is limited to 12 months from the date of payment. The instrument also updates certain legislative references in two welfare programmes. |
Instrument Amending the Special Needs Grants Programme and the Recoverable Assistance Programme 2010 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 July 2010 and 31 January 2011 | This Instrument which generally comes into effect on 1 July 2010, amends the Special Needs Grants Programme and the Recoverable Assistance Programme. Clause 3 and Schedule 1 makes amendments to ensure that the amounts payable for obtaining and renewing a driver licence correspond to the actual cost under the Land Transport (Driver Licensing and Driver Testing Fees) Regulations 1999. Clause 4 which comes into effect on 31 January 2011 and Schedule 2 establishes a payment for the new licence reinstatement fee. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (No. 3) 2007 Gazette notice: Effective date: 26 June 2007 | This instrument amending Ministerial directions and welfare programmes, which comes into effect on the day after the date on which it is published in the New Zealand Gazette excludes certain payments from a person's cash assets, which are considered in determining his or her eligibility to the types of social security assistance specified in this instrument. The exclusion for ex gratia payments made because of personal injury caused by hepatitis C infection contracted through the New Zealand Blood Supply is limited to 12 months from the date of payment. |
Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (No 2) 2007 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2007 | This instrument, which comes into effect on 1 April 2007, amends a number of Ministerial directions and welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964 to recognise de facto relationships within the meaning of section 29A the Interpretation Act 1999. |
Instrument amending ministerial directions and welfare programmes (No. 2) 2006 Gazette notice: Effective date: 9 June 2006 | This instrument, which comes into effect on the day after its publication in the New Zealand Gazette, amends a number of Ministerial directions and welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964 to treat people in civil unions in the same way as people in marriages. |
Instrument Amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes 2005 Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2005 | This instrument, which takes effect on 1 April 2005, amends various Ministerial directions and welfare programmes to:
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Instrument amending Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits, Recoverable Assistance Programme and Special Needs Grants Programme Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 July 2004 | This instrument, which comes into effect on 1 July 2004, amends the Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits, Recoverable Assistance Programme and Special Needs Grants Programme to provide that grants for travel for stranded persons who are beneficiaries are made as benefit advances, and for non-beneficiaries, as recoverable assistance payments. |
Recoverable Assistance Amendment 2002 Gazette notice: Effective date: 8 July 2002 | This amendment includes payments under the New Employment Transition Grant Programme and the Seasonal Work Assistance Programme as an applicant's income |
Recoverable Assistance Amendment (No. 2) 2001 Gazette notice: Effective date: 31 December 2001 | This amendment to the Recoverable Assistance Programme increases the maximum amounts of grants for applying for a driver licence or renewing an existing driver licence to take account of changes to driver licensing fees. The amendment also brings the age groups in the programme into consistency with those in the Land Transport (Driver Licensing and Driver Testing Fees) Amendment Regulations 2001. |
Recoverable Assistance Amendment 2001 Gazette notice: Effective date: 6 July 2001 | |
Recoverable Assistance for Non-Beneficiaries Programme Amendment (No. 2) Gazette notice: Effective date: 1 April 2000 | |
Recoverable Assistance for Non-Beneficiaries Amendment Gazette notice: Effective date: 25 June 1999 | These amendments, approved by the Minister of Social Services, Work and Income under section 124 (1) (d) of the Social Security Act 1964, are to the Recoverable Assistance for Non-Beneficiaries welfare programme approved by the Minister on 15 February 1999. The amendments allow recoverable assistance to be provided for people holding a driver licence to obtain the equivalent new photographic driver licence, and for people seeking to obtain a Learner Licence, Restricted Licence, or a Full Licence. |
