Notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister for Social Development and Employment.

A copy of the instrument is available for free at: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/about-msd/legislation/notice-of-change.html.

The instrument, which comes into force on 1 April 2024, amends a welfare programme under the Social Security Act 2018.

This instrument amends the Temporary Accommodation Assistance Programme to:

• extend assistance under the programme to support additional displaced homeowners who, prior to 1 April 2024 do not meet one or more specified eligibility criteria but who face hardship;
• expand the types of temporary accommodation costs for which an applicant could be eligible for assistance;
• amend the definition of uninhabitable to allow MSD to consider other information which shows the affected property was damaged or poses significant immediate risk as a result of the severe weather event;
• allow MSD to grant assistance where an applicant does not meet the criteria requiring the applicant to having insurance cover;
• ensure that applicants who were granted assistance before 1 April 2024 continue to be eligible if they entered into another agreement for qualifying temporary accommodation;
• make consequential amendments that give effect to the above changes;
• change the relevant dates relating to the hardship payment, so that the requirements for new applicants are consistent with the requirements under the original programme;
• change the amounts in Schedule 2, to reflect the relevant period for the hardship payment; and
• make minor editorial changes.

The instrument is secondary legislation for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2019 and is administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

Dated this 25th day of March 2024.

Hon LOUISE UPSTON, Minister for Social Development and Employment.