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."

LISTEN ABOVE

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."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Debbie Power: MSD chief executive on the review into the Ministry's thousands of payment errors

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/70e18aac-2ad6-471c-8a67-b4c1005d9d9a/transcript