My partner works: will I still get Jobseeker Support?

The basic rule: it's a couple's income

If you live with a partner, Work and Income looks at both incomes together, not just yours. A partner is a spouse or civil union partner, or someone you live with in a relationship like a marriage (it does not need to be legally registered). If you are unsure whether a flatmate or new relationship counts, ask Work and Income before you apply, and tell them if your situation changes.

For a couple where both of you are getting, or entitled to, a benefit, the rule from the Work and Income deduction table is: you can jointly earn up to $160 a week before tax without any effect. Above that, each of your benefits is reduced by 35 cents for every $1 of joint weekly income. The sum is (joint income minus $160) x 0.35, taken off each benefit.

The cut-out: when the benefit stops completely

Maximum rates from 1 April 2026 (after tax, per couple): $633.94 with no children, $669.40 with children. Where only one partner is on the benefit and the other isn't entitled to one (for example your partner is not eligible or is on NZ Super), Work and Income lists a rate of $334.70 a week after tax.

Worked examples

These are estimates using the official deduction rules. Real payments depend on tax codes and your exact circumstances.

• Couple, no children, you both lost your jobs, one of you picks up $200 a week casual work. Joint income $200, so each benefit reduces by (200 - 160) x 0.35 = $14. Each of you still gets roughly $316.97 - $14 = $302.97 after tax.
• Couple, no children, your partner earns $500 a week gross and you have nothing. Reduction is $119 each, so roughly $316.97 - $119 = $197.97 each is still available while joint income stays below $1,066.
• Couple with 2 children, partner earns $1,200 a week gross. That is over the $1,117 cut-out, so no Jobseeker Support. Check Working for Families, Accommodation Supplement and childcare help instead.

What you can still claim if there's no main benefit

A full-time-working partner often means no Jobseeker Support, but that is not the end of the road. Several payments use different income tests:

• Accommodation Supplement: looks at rent or mortgage costs, family size, assets and income. See the Accommodation Supplement guide.
• Working for Families (via Inland Revenue): Family Tax Credit is income-tested on family income, not benefit status. Eligibility starts to abate above $44,900 a year.
• Childcare Subsidy / OSCAR: weekly income limits are well above benefit cut-outs, for example about $2,404 a week with one child.
• Community Services Card: yearly income limit about $55,501 for a couple with no children, more with children.
• Temporary Additional Support and Special Needs Grants: income and asset tested, and available whether or not you are on a benefit.

Your partner's obligations, and changes you must report

• If both of you are on Jobseeker Support, each has your own work obligations unless a health condition or caring role applies.
• Tell Work and Income when your partner starts or stops work, changes hours or pay, or when you start or stop living together. Report income for the week it's earned, by Friday 6pm.
• If your partner loses their job as well, your payments can go up. Declare the change promptly: late claims are generally only backdated if you finish your application within 20 working days of first contacting them.