Submissions

To: NZ Parliament Social Services and Community Select Committee 
Date: June 2026 

Purpose

The purpose of this submission was to oppose the passage of the Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill. 

Young disabled people and their families whānau need to continue to have access to the full amount of Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement if they are eligible for either one or both payments. 

The government’s proposal in this Bill to make young 18- and 19-year-olds solely reliant on financial support from their families whānau if their parents/guardians don’t meet the Jobseeker Support income threshold is discriminatory and will cause serious harm for many disabled youth. 

For disabled young people, the proposition that families, whānau and aiga have the resources, capacity or willingness to support them is very problematic given that, disabled people and their families, whānau and aiga are disproportionately more likely to experience poverty and/or at the very least, additional challenges in meeting high disability related living costs. 

Placing the onus on families, whānau and aiga to support young disabled people financially at this period in their lives increases the risk of physical, sexual and emotional abuse being perpetrated by family members against them. 

The dignity and autonomy that young disabled people on Jobseeker Support have the right under the UNCRPD will be severely diminished through these changes. 

Summary of DPA submission

Recommendations 

DPA opposed the Bill and asked that it be withdrawn.  

DPA asks that government retain eligibility to the Jobseeker Support Payment for all 18- and 19-year-olds, without any parental or other means test. 

DPA asks that all core benefit rates are increased to ensure that every beneficiary, including disabled beneficiaries, can live in dignity and participate fully in society. 

DPA asks that government take a constructive approach to supporting all young people, including disabled youth, into employment, and to further education and training through removing barriers, especially for disabled and other equity population groups including Māori and Pacifica, to doing so. 

DPA asks that all education, training and employment programmes are adequately funded to ensure that they are flexible, accessible and inclusive in fully meeting the needs of all learners, including disabled learners and job seekers.