The Ministry of Social Development advises that the Winter Energy Payment is about to start again.
It is paid from 1 May to 1 October each year.
As was the case last year, you don’t need to apply for the Winter Energy Payment.
If you are eligible, you will get it automatically with your other payments.
Couples and people with dependent children will get $31.82 a week and single people will get $20.46 a week.
People paid weekly will get their first payment in the week beginning 6 May.
This will be a part payment because 1 May is part way through the week. This includes people getting Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, Youth Payment, Young Parent Payment and Emergency Benefit.
People paid fortnightly (NZ Super and Veteran’s Pension) will get their first payment on 14 May, which will be a full payment.
For couples getting NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension the Winter Energy Payment is all paid to one person. The system MSD uses for payments can’t split it to pay into two separate accounts. People can switch the payment to the other person’s account by calling their Seniors line on 0800 552 002.
Seniors heading overseas over the winter months can keep getting Winter Energy Payment for up to 28 days while they’re away. People should tell Work and Income if they plan to be away for more than four weeks , otherwise you might be paid too much and Work and Income will have to ask for the money back.
There’s more information about the Winter Energy Payment on the Work and Income website http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/winterenergypayment
