NZ Disability Advisory Trust Inc

13/08/2026

A few hours ago, we went to Disability Minister Louise Upston's latest announcement about the DSS Bill. And we had questions.

We asked her to clarify the Bill's expectation of families' 'responsibility' to provide care, and Upston said the Bill will not change the status quo. We followed up - does she think the status quo is good enough? Upston avoided the question.

Our editor Olivia also asked Upston - did you watch any submissions on the DSS Bill? She said no.

Although some of our communities' concerns have been heard, it does not yet feel that there is a genuine desire to embrace disabled community wisdom, or to make real, effective change.

Upston said this is not the end of improving disability support services, and we hope that's true - but we also hope that going forward, disabled people are in the process from start to finish, given decision-making power, and not forced to protest for our voices to be heard.

***

EDIT: Comments are now switched off. Although there was important community conversation going on, it was swamped by violent and offensive comments which made it very difficult to moderate. We've shared some more thoughts on the DSS bill here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bw5C9hm9w/

13/08/2026

The Disability Issues Minister has announced changes to a new bill which has previously riled members of the disability community.

10/08/2026

The ministry said the activity aimed to get beneficiaries into work, but a former staffer said it was “callous and cold” and “all about getting the numbers down”.

07/08/2026

Researchers have warned the country's health and disability services need to prepare for the continued growth in demand as it shows no sign of slowing.

02/08/2026

An advocate for children with disabilities says families are skipping food to pay for essential items.

01/08/2026

Young people with a health condition, injury, or disability are at risk of losing their Jobseeker benefit.

16/07/2026

20/03/2026

Benefits are adjusted based on the consumer price index (CPI), which lifted 3.11 percent last year.

18/03/2026

Kia ora 👋 If you receive a benefit, this update is for you.

From Wednesday 1 April, benefit rates will increase. Income and asset limits for some types of support will also increase.

We know updates like this matter, so it’s important people have clear information about what’s changing and how it affects them.

These changes affect around 1.5 million people across New Zealand who receive financial support through MSD, including around 436,000 people receiving these benefits.

They’re part of the Annual General Adjustment, which happens each year on 1 April. This is where benefit payments are reviewed and updated. The increase is always based on changes in the Consumer Price Index, which measures how the cost of living has changed over the past year.

This year, the Consumer Price Index increased by 3.11%, which is reflected in the increase to main benefit rates.

You don’t need to do anything to receive this increase. Your payment will update automatically.

If you also receive other support, such as Accommodation Supplement or Temporary Additional Support, those payments may change when your main benefit increases. The total amount you receive from us after the 1 April changes won’t be less than what you’re getting now.

From 1 April you’ll be able to check your updated payment details in MyMSD.

Find more information about the Annual General Adjustments on our website below 👇

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/news/2026/changes-to-benefit-and-payment-rates-from-1-april-2026.html

NZ Super and Veteran’s Pension are also included in the Annual General Adjustment. You can see our recent post on those rates here 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GrH8Vxcdv/

🚨 Just a reminder, if you see other posts or websites claiming payment changes, take a moment to check where the information is coming from and confirm it with an official source.

Real changes will always be shared in places you know and trust, like the Work and Income website.

09/03/2026

Debate about whether New Zealand should increase benefit payments often focuses on the role of social support within the country’s welfare system. Government assistance programs are designed to provide income support for people who are unemployed, unable to work, or facing other financial challenges. Over time, different governments have adjusted benefit levels in response to economic conditions, inflation, and broader policy priorities. Discussions about benefit increases often arise during periods when the cost of living rises or when poverty levels become a major public concern.

Supporters of higher benefits frequently argue that increasing payments can help address financial hardship and reduce poverty, particularly for families with children or people facing barriers to employment. They often point to housing costs, food prices, and other essential expenses as reasons why current support levels may not fully meet basic living needs. Some economists and social policy groups also argue that stronger income support can improve health, education, and long term economic outcomes by providing greater stability for households.

Others raise questions about how benefit levels interact with employment incentives and government spending. Critics sometimes argue that large increases could place pressure on public finances or reduce incentives for some people to move into paid work, depending on how the system is structured. Because of these considerations, the issue is often discussed alongside wider policy questions such as job creation, housing supply, and tax policy, which together shape how governments balance social support with economic sustainability.