That was a 5 per cent increase, bringing the total number of people on a benefit to 314,408. "We could afford anything we wanted, anything we needed, but now it's like every cent counts." The struggles aren't limited to Auckland - Nelson Budget Service manager Rosalie Grant said benefit rates were driving more and more people into hardship. "Benefit rates are enough to cover your accommodation and transport costs, your electricity, and that's kind of it. She said hardship assistance funds would continue to climb unless benefit rates increased.

Source: Stuff January 23, 2020 19:41 UTC