Main benefit recipients will receive a 3 percent rise on April 1 as the Government's decision to link rates to the average wage comes into effect.

The Government has decided to adjust the rate from a 1.66 percent increase to over 3.09 percent for this year.

The change, announced in the last Budget, will come into effect at the same time the New Zealand minimum wage is set to rise.

People on the Emergency Benefit, Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, Youth/Young Parent Payment and Grandparented rates of Domestic Purpose Benefit for solo parents and Widow's Benefit will see their income change.

What does this mean if you're on a benefit?

Using current calculations:

A sole parent could get an extra $10.48 a week

A single disabled person $8.44 extra a week

A Jobseeker beneficiary aged 25 or over $6.78 extra a week

A 20-24-year-old Jobseeker beneficiary would get an extra $5.63 a week

Currently, there are 310,000 families on these main benefits.



Sepuloni said this change will help to reduce poverty.