Beneficiaries in earthquake-hit Canterbury are to be temporarily exempt from new work tests being introduced throughout New Zealand.
Under the new Social Security Act coming into effect next week, people will have to re-apply for benefits after a year, sole parents will be work-tested and people getting multiple hardship payments will have to make budgets.
But the Government is deferring changes for those living in quake-stricken areas until March next year.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says it will take a long time for some people to get their lives back to normal and the move will give Cantabrians some breathing space.
