The possibility of benefit fraud is being investigated following a report that shows some households appear to be receiving more than $100,000 a year in welfare payments.
A report obtained under the Official Information Act by the New Zealand Herald shows 24 households, made up of between seven and 18 people, are getting more than $2000 a week.
One Papatoetoe household, which lists three children and 11 adults as its occupants, was shown to get $4302.90 each week -- amounting to about $224,000 per year.
A note with the report said it was likely some of the people listed in the households no longer lived at the houses, and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said the ministry was contacting each adult to check the details.
"We would want to make sure they have been honest in their reporting to us and not getting over payments," she said.
Among the concerns was the potential double-dipping on accommodation supplements, and the safety of children in the potentially overcrowded homes.
The ministry is expected to report back on the investigation later this month.
