What is welfare benefits information used for?
Information on uptake of various welfare benefits is used to monitor social trends, effectiveness of income assistance provided by Government and analysis of a range of issues such as inequalities, poverty, individual development and economic performance.
Resources
Working for Families
Information about financial support for families. Department of Work and Income web page.
Main benefit information
Work and Income web page lists main welfare benefits and links to eligibility criteria.
Survey of Family, Income and Employment
Information on New Zealanders' work, family and household circumstances, income and net worth. Published annually by Statistics New Zealand, from 2004.
2001 Census: Incomes (2001)
Reference report from Census 2001 on personal, family and household income at a national and subnational level.
2001 Census snapshot (work, education and income)
Snapshot of New Zealanders' income levels, sources of income and educational qualifications. Published by Statistics New Zealand, 2002.
Incomes (Census 1996)
Reference report on personal, family and household income at a national and subnational level. Published by Statistics New Zealand, 1998.
New Zealand Now: Incomes (Census 1996)
Reference report that traces what happened to the distribution of New Zealanders' incomes between 1982 and 1996. Published by Statistics New Zealand, 1999.
New Zealand Income Survey
Annual survey of individuals' gross income from wages and salary, self-employment, government transfers etc. Includes information on weekly median income for individuals and households. Published by Statistics New Zealand.
Evaluating the February 1999 Domestic Purposes Benefit and Widows Benefit Reforms: Summary of Key Findings
Joint publication by the Ministry of Social Development and The Department of Labour, 2002.
The Statistical Report (1,445Kb)
Annual report describing client databases. Contains historical statistical series, and a range of information about overall trends in the use of financial assistance and employment services. Published by Ministry of Social Development, 2003.
Student loans
Integrated data on student loan borrowers 1997-2000, including information on their personal characteristics (eg age and sex) and the characteristics of their loans (amount borrowed, total debt, and voluntary repayments). Published by Statistics New Zealand, 2002.
War and veterans pensions
Work and Income web page lists benefits information and links to eligibility criteria.
Benefit Statistics for Youth 15-19 and 15-24 years olds
The statistics contain information on all 15-24 year olds receiving income support from the Ministry of Social Development, as well as benefit statistics for youth. Published by Ministry of Social Development. Available form August 2003.
References
Wilson M (2000). The policy response to the employment task force and changing patterns of domestic purposes benefit receipt: a cohort analysis, Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, Issue 14: 78-103.
Experts
For further information contact Work and Income.