Cost of Living Payment
Our Government has worked hard to lift incomes and make life more affordable for Kiwi families. Now, as we move forward with our plan to grow a secure economy for all, we’re providing further cost of living support for people here in the New Lynn Electorate. Our new Cost of Living Payment starts from 1 August, and will support more than two million New Zealanders. You will likely be eligible if you earned $70,000 or less over the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, and are aged 18 or older, but aren’t eligible for the Winter Energy Payment.
Inland Revenue is working with more than 600 community groups, sports bodies and other organisations – particularly groups for Māori and Pacific peoples - to spread awareness about who might be eligible for the payment and the need to provide bank account numbers. There are fact sheets in 6 languages and webinars in English and te reo Māori to help share information about the payment and what’s needed for people to receive it.
There’s nothing you need to do to apply for the payment, and the income threshold is based on your individual income, not household income. If you’re eligible, you will receive the payments directly from IRD. However, IRD does need your correct information, so please take a few minutes to make sure that everything is up to date.
People can update bank account details through myIR. They can also use the self-service number 0800 257 777 to add or change a bank account and other details. It is a 24/7 number and there is no wait time.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
What word sums up 2024, neighbours?
If 2020 was the year of lockdowns, banana bread, and WFH (work from home)....
In one word, how would you define 2024?
We're excited to see what you come up with!