Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Social Development are to automatically share information people need to provide to obtain a benefit entitlement.
The move is intended to crack down on welfare fraud and over-payments and comes into force at the end of May.
The agencies already share details, but the Order in Council signed on Tuesday means information specific to benefits will be provided automatically rather than on request.
Social Development Associate Minister Chester Burrows says $22 million of benefit fraud was committed last year and 658 people prosecuted.
