Who can get it
- Aged 18+ (20+ if you have dependent children). Work and Income says the criteria for 18- and 19-year-olds are changing, with more information from 2 November 2026, so check their Jobseeker Support page.
- NZ citizen or residence-class visa holder, ordinarily resident, with 2 years' continuous NZ residence.
- Unemployed and looking for full-time work, in part-time work and looking for more, or unable to work full-time because of a health condition, injury or disability.
- Not a full-time student (StudyLink may help instead).
- Your combined weekly gross income is below the limit for your situation.
| Situation | Weekly income (before tax) must be under |
|---|---|
| Single, 18–19 living with parents | $555 |
| Single, 18–19 not at home, or 20–24 | $624 |
| Single, 25+ | $693 |
| Sole parent | $957 |
| Couple, no children | $1,066 |
| Couple with children | $1,117 |
Maximum weekly rates (from 1 April 2026)
| Category | After tax ('M') | Before tax |
|---|---|---|
| Single, 18–19, living with parents | $276.46 | $309.65 |
| Single, 18–19, not living with parents | $324.50 | $367.88 |
| Single, 20–24 | $324.50 | $367.88 |
| Single, 25 or over | $372.55 | $426.12 |
| Couple, no children (combined) | $633.94 | $717.50 |
| Sole parent | $521.52 | $606.69 |
| Couple with children (combined) | $669.40 | $760.48 |
Your payment reduces as your own (or your partner's) income rises, and stops after 6 weeks at $0. You may also be eligible for Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support, a Community Services Card and Winter Energy Payment.
How to apply
- Try 'Check what you might get' on workandincome.govt.nz.
- Apply online in MyMSD. You'll create a Jobseeker profile and complete 'Next steps'.
- Get your documents ready: ID, bank account details, proof of address and costs, and your employment details (termination letter, final pay information).
- If you have a health condition affecting work, ask Work and Income about the medical certificate you'll need.
- If you can't apply online, call 0800 559 009.
- Attend your appointment and any work-focused sessions you're asked to attend.
Stand-down and arrears
Most weekly benefits have a 1 or 2 week stand-down once approved, based on your average weekly income before tax over the last 26 or 52 weeks. After payments start you get nothing for the first week, because payment is for the week just gone.
Use the Stand-down Calculator to estimate yours.
If your partner is working
Jobseeker Support is tested on combined income, so a full-time-working partner often means no main benefit. Don't stop there: Accommodation Supplement, Working for Families, childcare subsidies, a Community Services Card and Temporary Additional Support have different tests. The 'Check what you might get' tool covers them all.
Sources
- Work and Income: Jobseeker Support (opens in a new tab)
- Benefit rates from 1 April 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Stand-down periods (opens in a new tab)
General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.