We provided support to many more people than usual this year - Annual Report 2019 - 2020
In a typical year we provide services directly to between 1 and 1.5 million New Zealanders and their families. This year the impact of the COVID-19 response brought many more people into contact with us – the initial Wage Subsidy scheme, for example, provided support for about 1.7 million jobs, including about 235,000 self-employed people.
We also experienced a sharp rise in the number of people seeking benefits (particularly Jobseeker Support) and housing assistance.
People receiving NZ Superannuation
30 June 2020: More than 809,000
31 March 2020: More than 801,500
30 June 2019: More than 781,000
People receiving benefits
30 June 2020: More than 353,000
31 March 2020: Nearly 310,000
30 June 2019: Nearly 292,000
People on Public Housing Register
30 June 2020: Almost 21,900
31 March 2020: More than 19,600
30 June 2019: Nearly 14,900
COVID-19 Wage Subsidy programme
2019/20 More than 1.7 million Employees supported by the initial COVID-19 Wage Subsidy programme.
Student Loan and Allowance applications processed
2019/20: Nearly 309,000
2018/19: 311,000
Working-age benefits cancelled because people got work
2019/20: 74,715
2018/19: 70,218
People with full-time work obligations who left the benefit system and stayed off benefit for at least 6 months
2019/20: 59.1%
2018/19: 62%
Value of hardship grants
2019/20: more than $723 million (more than 2.5 million grants)
2018/19: more than $480 million (nearly 1.7 million grants)
Social service provider accreditation assessments completed
2019/20: 1,503
2018/19: 1,330
