54270 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

54270 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Are beneficiaries who are placed at orange according to the traffic light system still able to access, if at all, the Unsupported Child's Benefit?

Hon Louise Upston: The Traffic Light System does not add any new work, work preparation or social obligations and does not add or change the nature of financial benefit sanctions or who they apply to. The Traffic Light System changes will instead help beneficiaries clearly understand and stay on track with meeting their existing obligations, so that they can avoid sanctions and the associated impacts. At the orange light, everyone has five days to re-comply with their obligation or dispute their obligation failure before moving to red. Sanctions are not applied to clients at the orange light and there is no effect on a person’s entitlements or eligibilities. I refer the member to the explanation of the traffic lights here: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/on-a-benefit/obligations/traffic-lights.html