55613 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

55613 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Are beneficiaries who are placed at red according to the traffic light system still able to access, if at all, the Residential Care Subsidy?

Hon Louise Upston: The Traffic Light System does not change what assistance is or is not available to people at different sanction levels. These settings remain the same as they were prior to the introduction of the Traffic Light System. I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) for a client to qualify for Residential Care Subsidy, an assessment for needing long-term residential care in a hospital or rest home facility indefinitely has been done. Therefore, if they are in receipt of a working age benefit, they would have an exemption from work or work preparation obligations.