Have any recipients of superannuation had their winter energy payments stopped without a specific request from the recipient to do so; if so, how many people are affected and why has this occurred?

Answer

As part of Budget 2025, the Social Security (Mandatory Reviews) Amendment Act 2026 introduced annual mandatory reviews for a range of benefits and supplementary assistance payments. Under the Act, if a client does not meet their review requirements, some supplementary payments, such as Disability Allowance and Accommodation Supplement, may be suspended. I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development is unable to provide the information sought by the Member within a written parliamentary question timeframe as it would take substantial effort and require the Ministry to divert personnel from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering these questions within this timeframe is not in the public interest.