 However, a regular unemployment benefit was not introduced until the passing of the Social Security Act in 1938; that benefit was "payable to a person 16 years of age and over who has been in New Zealand for at least 12 months and is unemployed, is capable of and willing to undertake suitable work, and has taken reasonable steps to secure employment".The criteria for receiving an unemployment benefit remain similar to the original 1938 legislation.At 1 December 2011, a person could get Unemployment Benefit if they were