Debts owed by current and former beneficiaries have ballooned to 2.4-billion-dollars.
Ministry of Social Development data shows nearly 600-thousand-people have loans, averaging around four-thousand dollars each.
They've been given the money for essentials like clothing, household appliances, and bills.
Child Poverty Action Group Founder Janfrie Wakim told Mike Hosking that employment helps, but it's not everything.
She says many people in paid work are accessing food banks to feed their families.
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