For those in public housing, with income-related rent, the benefit increase meant their rent went up as well, research found. Photo: RNZA year on from the Government's $25 increase to benefits, some solo parents and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses say it has made very little difference to their budgets. For those in public housing, with income-related rent, the benefit increase meant their rent went up as well, Humpage said. Another man on the supported living payment said the increase did not make "an iota of difference". The Government has made other changes to benefits, in addition to the $25 increase, including indexing benefit rates to wage growth and increasing abatement thresholds.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 19, 2021 18:00 UTC