Submissions

To: Ministry of Social Development 
Date: July 2025

Purpose

This submission’s purpose is to provide feedback to the Department of Inland Revenue on the Working for Families scheme, emphasizing the need for systemic changes and accessible processes to better support disabled people and their families.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA submitted feedback on the Working for Families (WFF) scheme, arguing for fundamental changes to lift incomes for all people, including disabled people and beneficiaries, to liveable levels. The submission highlighted the multiple disadvantages disabled people face in the labour market and the higher rates of child poverty among disabled children, calling for accessible reporting systems and recognition of disabled people as key stakeholders in future consultations. 

Key Recommendation: 

DPA asserts that the Working for Families (WFF) system requires fundamental change to address its design limitations, specifically advocating for liveable incomes for all people, including disabled people and beneficiaries, and the full inclusion of beneficiaries in the scheme. 

Supporting Statement 1: 

DPA has long advocated for the government to lift incomes for all people, including disabled people and beneficiaries, to liveable levels so that all New Zealanders can fully participate in society. 

Supporting Statement 2: 

DPA is disappointed that the WFF scheme was designed to tackle only in-work poverty, leading to the exclusion of beneficiaries from receiving the full suite of WFF payments, which in turn creates considerable administrative and payment problems when individuals transition from benefits into work.