15 February 2018
The government wants permanent residents to wait for three years before they can access any social security payments, according to a new Social Services Legislation Amendment Bill tabled in Parliament.
If the Bill is passed the Newly Arrived Residents Waiting Period (NARWP) will increase from two to three years for anyone who became a permanent resident on or after 1 July 2018.
Please note
Protected Special Category Visa-holders will remain exempt from any waiting periods.
Non-protected Special Category Visa-holders will not have any waiting period for the following payments:
- family tax benefit
- parental leave payments
- dad and partner pay.
Read more about the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Encouraging Self-sufficiency for Newly Arrived Migrants) Bill 2018.
Related
Am I eligible for the Aged Pension or NZ Superannuation?
Can I receive any Centrelink payments?
Contact Centrelink International Services for more information about payments
