What's new
2 April 2021
Transitional Assistance Payment
The Transitional Assistance Payment available from 1 April 2020 until 1 April 2021 has been removed from Map.
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1 April 2021
Changes to Map from 1 April 2021
A large number of changes in Map have been published for the Annual General Adjustment to financial assistance available for clients. Due to the number of changes it would really help us if you find any errors, please contact us so we can fix them.
Annual general adjustment
Rates increased on 1 April 2021 by the annual general adjustment have been amended in Deskfile. Other parts of Map have also been amended to incorporate the increased rates.
Income abatement thresholds
The amount a client can earn before their benefit is reduced due to additional income has increased. The amount of the increase depends on the client's personal circumstances. See:
- Jobseeker Support Single clients and couples - charging income
- Jobseeker Support Sole parents - charging income
- Jobseeker Support Grand-parented clients - charging income
Transitional Assistance Payment - Abatement Threshold Increase
Transitional Assistance Payment - Abatement Threshold Increase has been introduced so no clients will have their extra help affected by increases in main benefits and other assistance. This is a non-taxable payment for clients whose extra help may have been reduced by the increase in abatement thresholds.
Clients will automatically get Transitional Assistance Payments, and clients do not need to apply. See:
Dependent child or children
The definition of a dependent child has been corrected to exclude a child Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit is being paid for when assessing main benefit rates, Accommodation Supplement and Temporary Additional Support for the child’s principal caregiver. See:
In-work tax credit
The in-work tax credit is paid by Inland Revenue to low-income working families with dependent children.
Inland Revenue will keep paying the In-work tax credit for up to 2 weeks after people have stopped working, either temporarily or when a job has ended. However, payments don't continue for people getting an income-tested benefit or Student Allowance in those 2 weeks.
The In-work tax credit is chargeable income for Temporary Additional Support. See:
Minimum wage
The adult minimum wage, the starting-out wage, and the training minimum wage increased on 1 April 2021. See:
Temporary Accommodation Assistance
Temporary Accommodation Assistance (TAA) has been removed from Map. This assistance ended on 31 December 2020.
Legislation
The following ministerial direction has been updated, effective from 1 April 2021:
This is also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See ministerial directions.
The following welfare programme has been added, effective from 1 April 2021:
This is also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See welfare programmes.
The following welfare programmes have been updated, effective from 1 April 2021:
- Family Start and Early Start (Childcare Assistance) Programme
- Home Help Programme
- New Employment Transition Grant Programme
- Seasonal Work Assistance Programme
- Special Needs Grants Programme
- Special Transfer Allowance Programme 2000
These are also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See welfare programmes.
The following welfare programme has been removed, effective from 31 December 2020:
- Temporary Accommodation Assistance (Canterbury Earthquake) Programme
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15 March 2021
COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
Additional information has been added clarifying how people may receive as an instruction to self-isolate, and eligibility for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme. See:
