Accommodation Supplement obligations
There are things you and your partner need to do when you're getting an Accommodation Supplement If you don't do them, your payment could reduce or stop.
Tell us if something changes
You and your partner must tell us (or your Youth Service Provider if you have one assigned to you) immediately if you:
- have a change in your work situation, e.g. starting part-time, casual or full-time work (paid or unpaid)
- become self-employed or start a business
- have changes to your income or financial circumstances
- have a boarder or renter that moves in or out, or the payments you get from them change
- plan to travel overseas
- start or finish study - part-time or full-time
- have a change to your personal details, e.g:
- name
- address
- bank account number
- have a change to your living situation, e.g:
- marriage or separation
- starting or ending a civil union
- starting or ending a de facto relationship
- change in the number of children you support
- have a change in your accommodation costs
- are imprisoned or held in custody on remand
- are admitted to or discharged from hospital
- are granted an overseas pension
- have any other change that may affect your entitlement or rate.
If you don't meet your obligations
If there's any reason why you or your partner can't meet your obligations, talk to us straight away.
If you or your partner don't tell us about changes in your life that might affect your payment entitlement, or rate, then:
- your payment may be reviewed and cancelled
- you may have to pay back the total amount of any overpayment that you've received
- we may impose a penalty (up to 3 times the value of the overpayment)
- you may be prosecuted and fined and/or imprisoned.
Going overseas
If you or your partner intend to travel overseas and don't let us know before you leave New Zealand, your payment will be stopped the day after you leave New Zealand.
Other things we may ask you to do
We must review Accommodation Supplement payments regularly. This means we may also ask you to fill out a Confirming your Circumstances form.
This information helps us make sure you are getting the correct assistance and amount.
If you don't respond to the form before the due date, your Accommodation Supplement payments will stop.