New Zealand’s Winter Energy Payment is being added automatically to qualifying benefits and pensions from 1 May to 1 October 2026. The rate is $20.46 a week for a single person with no dependent children and $31.82 a week for couples and people with dependent children.
Who receives the payment?
You must be receiving one of the payments listed by Work and Income: NZ Super, Veteran’s Pension, Jobseeker Support, Jobseeker Support Student Hardship, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, Young Parent Payment, Youth Payment, Emergency Benefit or Emergency Maintenance Allowance.
Do you need to apply?
No separate application is required. If you qualify, the amount is included with your usual weekly or fortnightly payment. It cannot be converted into a single lump sum.
Who is excluded?
- People receiving a Residential Care Subsidy or Residential Support Subsidy.
- People living overseas.
- People whose overseas pension reduces their NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension to zero.
Payment timing in 2026
Because the scheme starts on 1 May and Work and Income pays for the week just completed, the first payment can be a part-payment. The full weekly amount follows in the next regular payment cycle. The last entitlement date is 1 October.
Tax and other assistance
The Winter Energy Payment is non-taxable. It does not reduce other Work and Income assistance or Income Related Rent. The payment is designed as an extra contribution to winter heating costs, but recipients do not have to submit energy bills.
If your payment is missing
First check the payment breakdown in MyMSD and confirm that your main benefit or pension is still active. Work and Income reported a 2026 processing issue affecting some people and said affected payments and arrears were corrected automatically. Contact Work and Income if the amount remains missing after your normal payment date.
Frequently asked questions
Can I opt out?
Yes. Work and Income provides an opt-out process, but consider the effect carefully before requesting it.
Does each partner receive $31.82?
No. The couple rate is $31.82 in total, normally paid to one person according to the benefit arrangement.
Will the payment continue after 1 October?
No. It stops after the annual winter payment period and restarts the following 1 May if you remain eligible.
Official information
Work and Income — Winter Energy Payment
Japanese version
Read the Japanese-language article
