Maureen Little says even a small boost to the benefit has made a big difference to people.

Beneficiaries face a $20-a-week pay cut next week, and there are concerns some are not ready for it.

The Winter Energy Payment was implemented for the first time this year.

In future years it will run from May until October, delivering $20.46 a week for single people on the pension or other main benefit with no dependent children and $31.82 for couples and people with children.

This year, it started in July and will finish at the end of September.

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Budget adviser Maureen Little, of Presbyterian Support Northern, said people had become used to having it and it would be a shock for many when it was no longer available.

The payment had been enough to allow some people to eat better and go to the doctor, when they otherwise would not have been able to, she said.

"Having that extra $20 has been quite helpful … it's going to hurt a few people. Just that little bit extra has made a difference. What will happen is that people will go back to using their food money if their power bill is a bit high this month, or they won't go to the doctor when they should. I did hope the government would fit it in their hearts to leave it on."

She said the payment had started at the same time as petrol prices started rose due to the introduction of Auckland's new regional fuel tax.

PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni has overseen the Winter Energy Payment scheme.

That had blurred the effect of the extra transport cost, Little said, but it would become much more apparent when the payment was removed.

She said consideration should be given to an ongoing power allowance for people who lived in parts of the country with the highest bills, in the same way that higher accommodation supplements were available to people in areas with high housing costs.

Researcher and co-director of thinktank The Workshop Jessica Berentson-Shaw said the impact would vary around the country.

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"Because it is not based on temperature or climate it will be harder for some people. Having said that while it is called a winter energy payment people will be simply using it for what ever costs are greatest for them," she said.

"Given how much the purchasing power of income support and tax credits has eroded over the last few decades, while costs of everything have gone up, additional payments like winter energy would be more effective spread across the year probably."

A spokeswoman for the National Building Financial Capability Charitable Trust said the government should look at the ongoing issues that people on low incomes faced.

"Families would have used part of the Winter Energy Payment to supplement their benefit for regular ongoing costs."

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni has been approached for comment.