Stand-down periods: when your first payment arrives

How it's worked out

Work and Income looks at your average weekly income (before tax) over the last 26 or 52 weeks. If you have a partner, the higher income is used. For a single person with no children, up to $1,620.67 a week means 1 week; above means 2 weeks. Each extra child adds $80 to the threshold, and having a partner adds $80.

Holiday pay and pay in lieu

Work and Income's policy says remaining holiday pay paid when a job ends is counted as income from the first weekday after employment ends, for the number of weekdays it represents (weekends excluded, public holidays included). Pay in lieu of notice and redundancy payments can also affect timing, and a redundancy payment gives a 1 or 2 week stand-down depending on the amount. The rules have changed over time, so ask Work and Income to explain how your start date was worked out, and ask them to check it if it looks wrong. As a rough guide, a long stretch of holiday pay plus a stand-down can mean several weeks before your first payment.

When there is no stand-down

• Transferring from one benefit to another.
• A suspended benefit resuming.
• Going back on a benefit within 26 weeks of it being cancelled because you found work.
• Receiving NZ Superannuation or Veteran's Pension.

The 13-week non-entitlement period

If you can't wait

Work and Income says you may be able to get help with urgent or unexpected costs during a stand-down, such as a Special Needs Grant (food, power, urgent costs) or a Recoverable Assistance Payment, even if you aren't on a benefit. Call 0800 559 009.