Board Payment Changes March '26: What you need to Know

🔄 KEY CHANGES SUMMARY

• Big Change: From 2 March 2026, ALL board payments you receive will count when calculating your housing subsidies and public housing rent

• Current Rule: Only board from 3+ boarders counts (unless it's your main income)

• New Rule: Even boarders from 1-2 boarders will now be included in calculations

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📋 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

If You Get Board Payments:

• Your Accommodation Supplement may be reduced

• Your Temporary Additional Support may be reduced

• If you live in public housing, your rent may increase

• We'll count 62% of all board payments (38% is for food/services)

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If You Pay Board:

• Work and Income will check that what you say you pay matches what your landlord says they receive

• If amounts don't match, they'll contact both of you to confirm the correct amount

• Your housing subsidy might change if the board amount gets corrected

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Information Collection Starts August 2025:

• Work and Income will send emails/letters asking about board payments

• You can declare boarders online through MyMSD or fill out a paper form

• They'll ask for: the boarder's name, date of birth, contact details, and payment amount

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📅 WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

1. Expect Contact from Work and Income (August 2025)

• Watch for emails or letters about board payments

• Respond promptly with accurate information

• Use MyMSD online or complete paper forms

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2. Keep Good Records

• Document all board arrangements

• Keep receipts/records of board payments received

• Note any changes to board amounts or arrangements

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3. Know Your Timeline

• August 2025: Information collection starts

• January/February 2026: Work and Income will tell you about any payment changes

• 2 March 2026: New rules take effect

• Housing subsidy changes start immediately

• Public housing rent changes start at your next rent review or when circumstances change

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🆘 NEED HELP? 

We're here to support you through these changes.

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Our Services Include:

• Help understand how different payments affect your benefit

• Assistance with Work and Income forms and processes

• Support if your payments are incorrectly calculated

• Advocacy if you disagree with decisions

• Help with reviews and appeals

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How to Get Help:

• Book an appointment through our website

• Call us during office hours: 03 379 8787

• Visit our office at Christchurch Community House

• Email us at office@bas.org.nz

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💡 Important Reminders

• Be Accurate: Make sure board payment amounts match between you and your boarder

• Respond Quickly: Reply to Work and Income requests promptly

• Keep Records: Document all board arrangements and payments

• Plan Ahead: If your housing subsidy will reduce, budget for the change

• Ask for Help: These rules are complex - we can help you understand them

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Examples of How This Works:

Housing Subsidy Example:

• You pay $600/week rent and get $350/week board from 2 boarders

• Currently: Board doesn't count, so you get subsidy based on full $600 rent

• From March 2026: 62% of $350 board ($217) reduces your rent costs to $383

• Result: Your housing subsidy will likely be less

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Public Housing Example:

• You pay $400/week Income Related Rent and get $400/week board

• From March 2026: 62% of board ($248) gets added to your income calculation

• Result: Your rent may increase (unless it would exceed market rent)

Remember: These changes can be confusing, but you don't have to figure them out alone. We're experienced in helping people navigate benefit changes, and we're here for you.