Pursuant to section 124(1)(d) of the Social Security Act 1964, the Minister for Social Development makes the following instrument amending the Special Needs Grants Programme (as established and approved on 18 December 1998)*.
I n s t r u m e n t
1. Title-This instrument is the Special Needs Grants Amendment 2012.
2. Commencement-(1) Clauses 5(2) and 7 come into effect on 15 October 2012.
(2) The rest of this instrument comes into effect on 20 August 2012.
3. Principal programme-This instrument amends the Special Needs Grants Programme (the principal programme).
4. Clause 3 amended (Definitions)-In clause 3.1, insert the following definitions in their appropriate alphabetic order:
"long-acting reversible contraception means a substance or device or technique (for example, an intrauterine device, a contraceptive implant, or a Depo-Provera inoculation) intended to prevent a person conceiving or, if conception has occurred, implantation of the foetus in the person’s uterus, that-
(a) is effective for an extended period of time without any action on the part of the person; and
(b) can be removed or discontinued"
"Pharmac means the Pharmaceutical Management Agency established by section 46 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000"
"subsidised, in relation to long acting reversible contraception, means its supply is eligible for a subsidy managed by Pharmac (including a subsidy provided under special authority in exceptional circumstances)".
5. Clause 9 amended (Restrictions on Payments)-(1) In clause 9.12, after "6A", insert "or clause 11.4.7,".
(2) In clause 9.12, after "11.4.7", insert "or 11.4.8".
6. New clause 11.4.7 inserted-(1) After clause 11.4.6, insert:
"11.4.7 Long-acting reversible contraception: young persons
11.4.7.1 This clause applies to an applicant who is-
(a) receiving a youth payment or a young parent payment; or
(b) a young person to whom section 171 of the Act applies.
11.4.7.2 The chief executive may make 1 or more Grants to an applicant to whom this clause applies of not more than $500.00 in any 52-week period towards the additional costs of the applicant obtaining or removing subsidised long-acting reversible contraception.
11.4.7.3 For the purposes of clause 11.4.7.2, additional costs-
(a) includes travel costs, and medical practitioner’s fees and prescription charges in excess of any subsidy paid to the medical practitioner or pharmacist under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000; but
(b) do not include any costs relating to obtaining contraceptive pills or condoms."
(2) In clause 11.4.1, replace "11.4.6" with "11.4.7".
7. New clause 11.4.8 inserted-(1) After clause 11.4.7
(as inserted by clause 6), insert:
"11.4.8 Long-acting reversible contraception: other beneficiaries and their dependent children
11.4.8.1 In this clause,-
benefit means a benefit described in the definition of beneficiary in section 61E(1) of the Act (other than an unemployment benefit granted under section 90(2) or (3), a youth payment, or a young parent payment)
eligible applicant-
(a) means an applicant who is-
(i) a person in receipt of a benefit either in
his or her own right or as the spouse or partner of the person granted the benefit; or
(ii) a dependent child aged not less than
16 years of a person described in subparagraph (i); but
(b) does not include a person to whom section 171 of the Act applies.
11.4.8.2 The chief executive may make 1 or more Grants to an eligible applicant of not more than $500.00 in any 52-week period towards the additional costs (within the meaning of clause 11.4.7.3) of obtaining or removing subsidised long-acting reversible contraception."
(2) In clause 11.4.1, replace "11.4.7" with "11.4.8".
Dated at Wellington this 13th day of August 2012.
HON PAULA BENNETT, Minister for Social Development.
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Explanatory Note
This note is not part of the instrument, but is intended to indicate its general effect.
The instrument amends the Special Needs Grants Programme to introduce a new form of grant to assist with the additional costs associated with subsidised long-acting reversible contraception-
- on and after 20 August 2012, for beneficiaries in receipt of a youth payment or a young parent payment or are young people who are the spouses or partners of older beneficiaries.
- on and after 15 October 2012, for other beneficiaries (except students in receipt of the unemployment benefit on hardship grounds in the summer vacation) and
the dependent children aged 16 or more of certain beneficiaries.
*New Zealand Gazette, 28 January 1999, No. 8, page 202