Luxon and social development minister apologise for Winter Energy Payment error
New Zealand's Prime Minister and Social Development Minister apologized after a legislative error caused thousands of pensioners to miss their Winter Energy Payments. The government has since corrected the error and backdated the payments.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks of rushed legislation and the impact of administrative errors on vulnerable populations.
The prime minister and social development minister have offered an apology to thousands of pensioners who did not receive their Winter Energy Payment this year, after an error in a law change meant people who were supposed to get the payment missed out.
The law change, passed under urgency last year, has meant beneficiaries receiving certain payments like the Supported Living Payment, Accommodation Supplement, and Disability Allowance have had to re-confirm their circumstances at least once every 52 weeks, to confirm whether they are still eligible.
However, the Winter Energy Payment, which is supposed to be automatic for superannuitants, veterans, and people receiving a main benefit, were not excluded from the legislation, meaning some people who would have expected to receive the payment did not.
Labour said it is the consequence of rushed legislation, but Social Development Minister Louise Upston is blaming it on a policy omission.
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