DPB mum with 8 kids gets more than Minister claims

“Rick Barker is misleading the public with his claim that those on the DPB get an extra $21 for the first child and nothing after that,” says National Party Welfare spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

She is responding to his claim today that ‘people who need a Domestic Purposes Benefit get an extra $21.40 per week if they have a second child. There is no additional increase for subsequent children’.

“Mr Barker must know that he is not being entirely honest with the public on this matter.

“There are a number of ‘add-ons’ which those on the DPB are eligible for.

“According to calculations based on Work and Income’s benefit charts, a DPB recipient with eight children is paid nearly twice as much as a beneficiary with two kids. Nearly $500 more a week, in fact.

“And the difference between a person on the DPB with one child and another with two children is nearly $150 per week.

“Mr Barker should be more up-front with the public, and admit that there are those on the DPB who have made a deliberate lifestyle choice at the expense of the hardworking New Zealand taxpayer,” says Mrs Rich.

Calculations based on Work and Income benefit charts:

2 children 8 children 1 child

DPB 256.52 (net) 256.52 (net) 235.12 (net)
Family Support 79.00 271.00 47.00
Disability Allowance 144.54 433.62 48.18
Accommodation Supplement 75.00 75.00 75.00
Total 555.06 1036.34 405.30

Also if the sole parent was on an invalids benefit with children included the basic sole parent IB rate is higher than the DPB, ie 1 child 269.54 (net); 2 children 289.45 and all the above supplementaries can still be claimed.

Note:
The Disability Allowance has been calculated at the maximum for parent and children in all scenarios.
Family support is calculated on the basis of all children being under 12.
Accommodation supplement is calculated at the maximum for Area 3 (Dunedin) and paying rent (maximum for the country is $150.00 per week).

Special Benefit is not included but could well apply in the 8 children scenario at around $80.00 per week.

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