How many people with a disability, if any, have had their application for a Supported Living Payment declined since Jan 2025 because their partner earns over the income threshold?

Answer

I refer the member to the attached table, which provides: • The number of declines for working-age Supported Living Payment due to the client or their partner earning over the income threshold from 1 January 2025 to 30 November 2025, by month ending. I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development does not centrally report whether the excess income is from the primary client or their partner. The release of this information would require a review of individual client files and for the Ministry to undertake substantial manual collation and divert staff from their core duties. In accordance with the Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering this part of the Member’s questions is not in the public interest. This is also my response to WPQ’s 3955, 2956 & 3957 (2026)

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