A double-pronged mistake meant more more than 30,000 benefit payments were incorrectly suspended.

A review has found superannuitants were wrongly made to confirm their circumstances to get the Winter Energy Payment in legislation passed under urgency.

The high number of confirmations meant processing delays, and people’s benefits didn't continue when they should have.

The Ministry of Social Development's paid more than $2.5 million dollars in arrears, and is apologising to the thousands impacted.

Chief executive Debbie Power says people questioning it from April were told it was no mistake, and it wasn't raised with the Minister until August.

"The policy intent was never to impact these clients in this way, we got it wrong."

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