In response to rising living costs, the government is offering a split payment of $350 to lower-income New Zealanders.
Who is eligible?
The payment is available to all New Zealand tax residents aged 18 and older who earned less than $70,000 before tax between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022.
To be eligible, you must have had a 2022 tax assessment with eligible income such as salary or wages.
However, people who have not been in paid work during the last financial year can receive the payment if they have income from bank interest or people who receive Working for Families payments.
People who are also eligible for the Winter Energy Payment do not qualify.
People who are in prison also do not qualify.
How much is the payment?
Eligible residents will receive an overall payment of $350. This is split into three monthly instalments of roughly $116.
The first payment has been made on 1 August 2022 and the second and third payments will be made on 1 September and 1 October, respectively.
How is the payment made?
Inland Revenue will automatically transfer each payment directly into the bank account of eligible people.
What do I need to do?
If you are eligible for the payment, it is important to confirm that your bank account details are on file with Inland Revenue. If Inland Revenue does not have your bank account details, you may not receive the money.
