Requirements for Jobseeker Support in New Zealand in 2026

Jobseeker Support is a weekly payment administered by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) through Work and Income New Zealand. It is designed to provide financial assistance to people who are out of work and actively looking for employment, or who are temporarily unable to work due to a health condition or injury.

Applying for Jobseeker Support involves verifying your identity, residency status, income and work availability. The process can be completed online, by phone or in person at a Work and Income service centre. This guide explains exactly what documents you need, how the application works and what to expect at each stage.

What this procedure is and what it’s for

Jobseeker Support is a means-tested benefit paid weekly to eligible New Zealand residents who are:

• Unemployed and actively seeking and available for work, or
• Unable to work or work only limited hours due to a health condition, injury or disability, or
• Caring for a dependent child and facing barriers to employment.

The benefit is not a one-off payment — it continues as long as you meet the eligibility criteria and fulfil your obligations (such as attending appointments and applying for suitable jobs).

Official body responsible: Work and Income New Zealand, a service of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). Their website is www.workandincome.govt.nz.

To qualify you must generally:

• Be aged 18 or over (or 16–17 in specific circumstances).
• Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident ordinarily resident in New Zealand, or hold an eligible visa.
• Meet income and asset thresholds (your partner’s income is also assessed if you have one).
• Be available for and actively seeking full-time work (unless a health condition or caring responsibilities limit your hours).
• Not be in full-time study (with limited exceptions).

Documents required

Gather the following documents before you start your application. Work and Income will verify originals or certified copies where indicated.

Proof of identity (at least one primary document)

• New Zealand passport (original) — most straightforward proof of citizenship.
• New Zealand birth certificate (original or certified copy) — if you do not have a passport.
• New Zealand citizenship certificate (original) — if you were naturalised.
• Overseas passport (original) — if you are a resident or hold an eligible visa; your visa must be visible.

Proof of residency or immigration status

• New Zealand Residence Visa or Permanent Resident Visa — shown in your passport or as a digital record from Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
• Relevant work visa — if you hold a visa that permits you to claim certain benefits; check with INZ whether your visa category qualifies.

Proof of your financial situation

• Recent bank statements — typically the last three months for all accounts you hold.
• Payslips or employer letter — confirming your employment has ended or your current reduced hours and income.
• Redundancy or termination letter — if you were made redundant or dismissed.
• IRD number — your Inland Revenue (IRD) tax number; this is mandatory.
• Evidence of any other income — rental income, ACC payments, overseas pensions or other benefits.

Proof of living situation

• Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement — to confirm your address and housing costs.
• Recent utility bill or rates notice — as a secondary address confirmation if required.

Health-related documents (if applying on health grounds)

• Medical certificate from a registered New Zealand doctor — stating your condition, how it affects your ability to work and the expected duration; this must be an original signed document.
• Specialist reports — if available and relevant to your condition.

If you have dependent children

• Birth certificates of dependent children (originals or certified copies).
• Evidence of custody or care arrangements — court order or statutory declaration if applicable.

Partner’s information (if you have a partner)

• Your partner’s IRD number.
• Your partner’s recent payslips or income evidence — Work and Income assesses your household income.

Note on documents in languages other than English: Any document not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation prepared by a qualified translator.

Steps to complete the procedure

1. Check your eligibility online. Visit www.workandincome.govt.nz and use the online eligibility checker before you apply. This takes about five minutes and gives you a preliminary indication of whether you are likely to qualify.

2. Apply online, by phone or in person.

   • Online: Log in or create a MyMSD account at my.msd.govt.nz and complete the Jobseeker Support application form. You will be prompted to upload supporting documents.
   • By phone: Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 (Monday to Friday, 7 am to 6 pm). A case manager can take your application over the phone and advise you which documents to bring or send.
   • In person: Visit your nearest Work and Income service centre. No appointment is strictly required to lodge an application, but booking one via the website or phone reduces waiting time.

3. Submit your supporting documents. Upload scanned copies through MyMSD, post originals to your local service centre or bring them in person. Work and Income may ask to sight originals even if you have submitted copies.

4. Attend an appointment with a case manager. After your application is received, you will be contacted — usually within a few days — to arrange an appointment (in person, by phone or by video). At this appointment your case manager will:

   • Verify your identity and documents.
   • Discuss your work obligations or any health-related limitations.
   • Explain your rights and responsibilities as a beneficiary.

5. Receive a decision. Work and Income will notify you of the outcome by letter or through your MyMSD account. If approved, your first payment is usually made within a week of the decision.

6. Fulfil your ongoing obligations. Once approved, you must regularly report any changes in income, living situation or health, and meet any agreed work or training obligations. Failure to do so can result in your benefit being reduced or cancelled.

Estimated total time from application to first payment: typically 1–2 weeks if all documents are provided promptly, though it can take longer if additional verification is needed.

Fees and timelines

• Application fee: There is no fee to apply for Jobseeker Support.
• Processing time: Most straightforward applications are processed within 5–10 working days. Complex cases (for example, those involving health assessments or immigration status checks) may take longer.
• Payment frequency: Jobseeker Support is paid weekly or fortnightly, directly into your nominated New Zealand bank account.
• Payment rates (2026): Rates depend on your age, relationship status and whether you have dependent children. As a general guide, the weekly rate for a single person aged 25 or over is approximately NZD 345–360 before any deductions. Rates are adjusted periodically — check www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/jobseeker-support.html for the current figures.
• Duration of benefit: Jobseeker Support does not have a fixed expiry date. It continues as long as you remain eligible and meet your obligations. Your case is reviewed regularly.
• Backdating: In some circumstances payments can be backdated to the date you first contacted Work and Income, not the date your application was completed — so contact them as soon as possible after losing work.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Not providing an IRD number. Your IRD number is mandatory. If you do not have one, apply to Inland Revenue (IRD) at www.ird.govt.nz before or at the same time as your benefit application. Delays in obtaining your IRD number will delay your payment.

• Submitting incomplete or unclear identity documents. Blurry scans, expired passports or documents that do not clearly show your name and date of birth are a common cause of delays. Check that every uploaded document is legible and current before submitting.

• Not disclosing all sources of income. Work and Income assesses your total household income, including your partner’s earnings, ACC payments, rental income and overseas pensions. Failing to declare any income — even small amounts — can result in an overpayment that you will be required to repay, and may constitute fraud.

• Delaying contact after losing work. Jobseeker Support is generally backdated only to the date you first made contact with Work and Income, not the date you stopped working. Contact them as soon as you become unemployed or unable to work to avoid losing entitlements.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for Jobseeker Support if I am on a work visa? Most temporary work visas do not entitle the holder to Jobseeker Support. However, some visa categories — such as certain resident visas — do qualify. Check your visa conditions with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) at www.immigration.govt.nz before applying.

What happens if I find part-time work while receiving Jobseeker Support? You can work part-time and still receive a reduced benefit, depending on how much you earn. Work and Income uses an income abatement formula — your benefit reduces gradually as your earnings increase. You must report any income changes promptly through MyMSD or by calling Work and Income.

Do I need to be actively looking for work if I have a health condition? Not necessarily. If a registered New Zealand doctor certifies that your health condition prevents you from working, Work and Income may place you on a health-related exemption from work obligations. The extent of the exemption depends on the severity and expected duration of your condition. Your case manager will discuss this with you at your appointment.

Can I receive Jobseeker Support and study at the same time? Generally, full-time students are not eligible for Jobseeker Support and should instead look at StudyLink payments. However, there are limited exceptions — for example, if you are studying part-time and are still available for and seeking full-time work. Discuss your specific situation with Work and Income.

What if my application is declined? If your application is declined, you will receive a written explanation. You have the right to request a review of the decision. You can ask Work and Income to reconsider internally, and if you remain dissatisfied, you can take the matter to the Social Security Appeal Authority (SSAA).

What to do now

The most important first step is to contact Work and Income as soon as you become unemployed or unable to work — this protects your entitlement date. Before you call or go online, gather your IRD number, proof of identity (passport or birth certificate) and evidence of your last income (payslips or a termination letter).

Start your application at www.workandincome.govt.nz or call 0800 559 009.

Important notice: Benefit rates, eligibility rules and required documents can change. Always verify the current requirements directly with Work and Income (Ministry of Social Development) before submitting your application. The official source of up-to-date information is www.workandincome.govt.nz.