16459 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

16459 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Have there been any changes since 1 November 2023 to eligibility criteria, or assessment and decision-making processes, in relation to applications for the Emergency Benefit; if so, what were they and when did they come into effect?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that as of 26 May 2025, a person applying for, or transferring to an Emergency Benefit (for those who have similar work-test conditions as a condition of grant of the Emergency Benefit) were required to have a completed Jobseeker Profile as part of their benefit application. This was extended to their partners where appropriate. I am further advised that as of 2 March 2026, it became a requirement that the Ministry of Social Development must review a beneficiary’s eligibility and rate of a specified benefit at least once every 52 weeks (mandatory reviews).