The Cost of Living Payment is no longer being paid. This was a payment to help with the rising costs of inflation. This was paid automatically to those who were eligible.
No more payments being made
We are no longer checking eligibility for the payments. The final date to file your return to get the payment was 31 May 2023. From 1 April 2024 we cannot make any further payments.
About the Cost of Living Payment
The Cost of Living payment was a payment made to those who were eligible. It provided short-term support to low-to-middle income earners to help with the rising costs of inflation. At first it was paid in up to 3 instalments, between August and September 2022. After September 2022, the payment was made in a lump sum. The total amount you could receive under the scheme was up to $350.
We no longer assess eligibility to receive this payment.
Eligibility was based on:
- income in the 2022 tax year (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022)
- age
- New Zealand tax residency
- being present in New Zealand
- not being in prison at that time.
Income was assessed based on 2022 Income tax returns or Income tax assessment.