Extra Support Happening for Southlanders

From today (1 April) Southlanders are going to see some extra support in their pockets, as the conflict in the Middle East puts more pressure on household budgets, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says.

"Our elderly will receive support as Superannuation payments increase.

"For example, NZ Superannuation for a married couple will lift more than $50 to $1,708 a fortnight, an increase of over $180 since the 2023 election.

"Low-to-middle-income families will also receive an increase in the family tax credit.

"Eligible families with one child will receive an extra $400 a year, rising to $720 for families with two children and $1,050 with three.

"As announced last week, an increase to the in-work tax credit will result in 143,000 working families receiving a further $50 boost per week for up to a year, as part of the Government’s temporary, targeted support to help with fuel costs.

"A further 14,000 families will receive up to $50 per week.

"In addition, Budget 2025 changes to the Working for Families abatement threshold come into effect from tomorrow (1 April) and will support around 142,000 families with a boost of $14 per fortnight on average.

"Some students will also get additional assistance, with a single person over 24, receiving the Student Allowance, gaining an additional $22 a fortnight.

"Over 435,000 working age beneficiaries will also get more help.

"A single person over 25, on Jobseeker Support, will receive an additional $22 a fortnight, while a couple with children will receive an additional $40 a fortnight (on top of the family tax credit increase).

"The Government is doing what it can for Southland people, but we won’t make a tough situation worse with reckless spending.

"Untargeted spending risks adding more pressure to inflation and increasing debt, which ultimately drives up costs like groceries and interest rates.

"We saw this in the aftermath of Covid, where excessive spending more than doubled debt and sent inflation soaring and mortgage rates skyrocketing.

"We can’t control global oil prices or overseas conflicts, but we can take steps to ease the pressure on working families with timely, targeted and temporary support."