3. Question No. 3—Social Development and EmploymentRICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH (Green) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 3—Social Development and Employment3. RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH (Green) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What further support if any will be made available to low-income families and whānau living in poverty as COVID-19 spreads in communities?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): On 1 April this year the Government will lift both main benefit rates and the minimum wage. These changes continue our Government's track record of lifting the incomes for New Zealand's most vulnerable. In response to COVD-19 we have temporarily increased income limits for people who need hardship assistance. A couple who earns up to $1600 per week can now be eligible for support from Work and Income. In addition we have invested $204.1 million in the welfare response for care in the community. This is particularly aimed at low-income people who are directed to self-isolate. This support is being delivered through 150 community organisations of which 70 are Māori and Pacific providers and 225 community food providers which are ensuring vulnerable whānau can access kai while they self-isolate. As a Government we are keeping a close eye on the situation and responding when the need arises. Ricardo Menéndez March: Does she agree that cash-in-hand payments rather than relying on food banks would alleviate pressure on front-line workers when there are large community outbreaks? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I don't think it's a matter of one or the other. I think it is both and that's why I think there are many people out there who will be relieved to see that they have a Government who is increasing benefits on 1 April and also increasing the minimum wage on 1 April as well. We recognise still there are a number of families who experience food insecurity—particularly when faced with the challenges that come with the pandemic. We want to keep them safe if they do need to self-isolate hence why we are investing a significant amount of money towards our providers to support with care in the community. Ricardo Menéndez March: Will the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) provide N95 masks and COVID-19 preparedness kits to low-income families living in poverty including medication and food to get through isolation? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: With respect to masks and MSD's response over the course of the time that we've been responding to the pandemic that has been part of what they have funded. With regards to the specifics that the member is asking about if he puts that in writing I can certainly follow up for him.Ricardo Menéndez March: Is there a plan in place to scale up current support for people self-isolating as cases in the community increase and if so what is it?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Yes and we have listened to our community providers. We have listened to the Māori and Pacific communities with regards to what they see is needed on the ground; we've worked closely with them. We announced the care in community model in November last year and have been working closely with Health since then to ensure that we are able to respond to the need that arises. To date we haven't had the demand come through the system because we haven't seen the number of cases that we anticipated however—and we are preparing ourselves because we do know that they will go up. So we do feel that we have been working to scale up and are prepared for the cases that may be on the horizon.Ricardo Menéndez March: Will she consider reintroducing any of the support she provided in 2020 that has now been discontinued—for example doubling the eligibility of food grants and the winter energy payment—to ensure that people are able to stay safe during a large community outbreak; if not why not?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We continue to assess the situation and work with people on the ground to determine what is required at any given point in time. In 2020 one of the first actions we took when the pandemic struck was actually to increase benefits. Then we saw those increased again last year and we will see them increased again on 1 April. As I said earlier in my response we've also lifted the thresholds so that more low-income families can access hardship support through MSD. We just continue to monitor the situation and pivot where necessary so we can support the families that need it during this time.Ricardo Menéndez March: Will she further increase benefits and urgently review Working for Families given the cost of living for low-income families is rapidly rising at a time when they also need time to self-isolate at home?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I think there'll be a lot of families out there that are relieved that they have had a Government who have demonstrated that we do care about those that are most vulnerable. We have seen year-on-year increases—2020 2021 and 2022—and as has been said a number of times these are the most significant benefit increases that we have seen in decades. I stand by our Government's record with regards to prioritising some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders low-income New Zealanders and we will continue to respond where we can when we see that a need needs to be addressed.Ricardo Menéndez March: How will Work and Income support people who live in overcrowded housing or whose housing situation does not allow them to isolate safely?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: With respect to housing that is the area that is being led by the Ministry of Health with regards to when families are not able to self-isolate safely. So that's a determination that will not be made by MSD but instead led by the Ministry of Health.