Submissions

To: Ministry of Social Development and Inland Revenue Department 
Date: May 2026  

Purpose

The purpose of this submission was to provide DPA’s perspective on the new joint automated reporting system which will replace the need for people to constantly report their income by phone over the next two years. 

Summary of DPA submission

DPA acknowledges there are some positive aspects of the new joint automated income reporting system proposed in the discussion document by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Inland Revenue Department (IRD). 

However, there are also concerning aspects to this policy change, including the proposal to remove the 10-day notice period for challenging decisions. 

DPA welcomes that beneficiaries will no longer have to constantly declare any changes in income, meaning that any changes in charged income can be immediately made.  

DPA recognised that the changes will result in fewer clients ending up in debt through overpayments/underpayments.  

DPA asks that the 10 working days’ notice period for disputing the accuracy of any income report be retained under the new automated system.  

DPA recommends that MSD and IRD collaborate to ensure that the new automated system balances the need for accuracy with fairness for the clients of both agencies. 

DPA recommends that all automated income reports are provided in plain language, laid out clearly, and that information about complaints and review processes are clear for everyone, including disabled people, to understand. 

DPA recommends that MSD and IRD include more options, other than just electronic notification or post, for disabled people who need to be notified by non-digital means of their income report, for example, through direct phone calls from either agency.