Bennett Paula: Social Assistance (Living Alone Payments) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Bennett Paula: Social Assistance (Living Alone Payments) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 March 2013. Volume:688;Page:9092. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development) 
: 
 I move  
That the Social Assistance (Living Alone Payments) Amendment Bill be now read a third time 
. The Social Assistance (Living Alone Payments) Amendment Bill amends the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001 and the War Pensions Act 1954. The changes in the bill will improve services for New Zealand superannuitants and veterans pensioners who live alone and are entitled to receive the additional living alone payment. The changes before us fulfil this Government’s commitment to ensure superannuitants and veterans pensioners living alone receive their full entitlement without unnecessary administration and compliance burdens. This bill also builds on New Zealand’s commitment to superannuitants. 
As the House is aware the Prime Minister has assured the public that New Zealand’s superannuation settings and the age of entitlement will not be changed by this Government. Since National took office in 2008 superannuation has increased five times giving a total increase of 25 percent. For a pensioner who is living alone the single living alone payment each fortnight has increased by $143. The living alone payment is a separate supplementary benefit that recognises that single superannuitant and single veterans pensioners who live alone face higher living costs as they are unable to share the expenses of maintaining a household. 
 Because the living alone payment is a separate benefit superannuitants and veterans pensioners who have become single usually after the death of a partner or spouse are required to make a special and specific application to receive it. The bill before the House today replaces two separate payments with one. Currently a superannuitant living alone has to apply for two separate payments both New Zealand superannuation and the living alone payment. The new living alone rate will ensure that single superannuitants and single veterans pensioners who are living alone do not have to make a separate application. It just makes sense really. 
We have done this to specifically address concerns from superannuitants and veterans pensioners. These groups are concerned because if people do not apply for the living alone payment within 28 days of the death of a spouse or partner they then find that their living alone payments cannot be backdated. This can be a real burden on older New Zealanders particularly if they have just lost a long-term partner or spouse. Also because many are not aware of the payment many do not apply for it and so miss out on their full entitlements. It is important that we amend this legislation so that older New Zealanders who suddenly find themselves alone do not struggle to pay their bills when they are entitled to get help. This bill will change that. 
There are two key benefits for older people. The first is about access. Single superannuitants and single veterans pensioners will not have to complete a separate application form to get their full entitlement. They can just let us know over the phone which I think is pretty exciting or by email or of course by visiting one of our super-centres. This is something we know seniors want and it can make life a bit easier. It just simplifies the process. The second change I have noticed is about recognising the stress and burden that they can experience with the death or a spouse. 
In summary this bill ensures a fairer more equitable and more compassionate experience for superannuitants and veterans pensioners who are left living alone following the death of a spouse or partner. The changes are simple yet effective and they provide older New Zealanders with better access to the correct rate of entitlement with the least amount of burden. I commend this bill to the House.