This came into effect today. Many on a benefit are confused as to why this has come in before submissions on the SS Bill are not due until 1 Nov.

http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/women-alone-oct-factsheet.pdf

Ah. It looks like this might be a previous reform that’s just coming
into force.

There are also changes to other benefits:

http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/benefit-changes/widows-benefit.html
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/benefit-changes/dpb-woman-alone.html
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/benefit-changes/dpb-sole-parents.html

So it looks like they already had changes in the pipeline to send
everyone out to work when the youngest child turns 14. BUT.

On the WINZ website right now they have a list of exemptions from the
requirement to work for people on the DPB. (See full list:
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/main_benefits/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents-83.htm)

I’m sure you know about this, but here’s the exemption terms:
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/main_benefits/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents-88.htm

When I was reading the Bill, I looked at possible exemptions from the
work obligations for home educators and there were none.

So it seems, although I’m not 100% sure, that a) you can in limited
circumstances still be exempted from work obligations if you’re
homeschooling; and b) that will no longer be the case under the new
Bill.