West wins in change to budget
West Aucklanders are set to reap the benefits from a change in the accommodation supplement.
The Government’s accommodation supplement was a weekly payment which helped people pay rent, board or the cost of owning their own home.
Finance Minister Steven Joyce announced an adjustment to the rate on May 25 as part of the Government’s budget, the first change in the benefit since 2008.
Eligible west Aucklanders were moving from area two to area one, which would bring a windfall worth more than $100 per week for some families.
The accommodation supplement was paid at four different rates areas, depending on which part of the country a person lived.
Area one was considered the highest housing cost area, and area four the lowest.
West Auckland’s maximum rate in area two had been $165 a week. Now the maximum rate would be $305 a week for a family of three or more.
A family of one would receive $165 a week, an increase of $65 from the $100 they currently received in area two.
A family of two would receive $235 a week, an increase of $110 from the $125 they received in area two.
A family of three or more would receive $305 a week, an increase of $140 from the $165 they received in area two.
From April 1, 2018, about 136,000 households who received the maximum amount would benefit by an average of $36 a week.
Joyce said his maiden budget was ‘‘carefully designed to especially assist low and middle income earners with young families and higher housing costs’’.
To get the accommodation supplement, people had to have accommodation costs, be over 16 years-old, be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, normally live in New Zealand or intend to stay here and not be paying rent for a social housing property. It also depended on how much a person and their partner earned, and any money or assets a person and their partner had.
The maximum rate had been $225 per week.
The minister announced the accommodation benefit which supported tertiary students would also be increased by up to $20 a week.
Those already receiving payment would not need to do anything from April 1 as payments would be changed automatically.