Benefits Overview
NZ welfare system overview: Work and Income, types of benefits, supplementary assistance.
Jobseeker Support
For people looking for work or unable to work temporarily. Rates, obligations, how to apply.
Sole Parent Support
For sole parents caring for children. Eligibility, weekly rates, part-time work obligations.
Supported Living Payment
For people with permanent health conditions or disabilities. Rates, medical evidence, carer pathway.
Accommodation Supplement
Help with rent, board, or mortgage. Rates by area, entry thresholds, how much you could get.
Temporary Additional Support
Extra short-term help if you're struggling to meet essential living costs.
Working for Families
Tax credits for families: Family Tax Credit, Best Start, In-Work Tax Credit, rates and thresholds.
Winter Energy Payment
Tax-free heating help paid June to September. Rates, eligibility, who gets it automatically.
Student Allowance
Living costs for full-time tertiary students. Rates, accommodation benefit, parental income test.
Benefit Obligations & Fraud
Reporting changes, sanctions, overpayments, fraud consequences β what you need to know.
π³πΏ More New Zealand Resources
ACC Guide New Zealand Β· Auckland Living Guide Β· Christchurch Living Β· First Home Buyer NZ Β· IRD Tax Guide NZ Β· KiwiSaver Guide Β· MΔori Culture Guide
How the NZ Welfare System Works
New Zealand's welfare system is administered by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) through its service arm, Work and Income. It provides a safety net for people who are unemployed, unable to work due to health conditions or disability, caring for children, or on a low income. The system has two layers: main benefits (Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, NZ Superannuation) and supplementary assistance (Accommodation Supplement, Winter Energy Payment, Temporary Additional Support, Working for Families tax credits).
Two mechanisms govern how much you actually receive. First, income and cash asset tests decide whether you qualify at all. Second, abatement reduces your payment as your earnings rise β for Jobseeker Support, 70 cents is deducted for every dollar earned above $160 per week (before tax). Understanding both is essential: many people who assume they are "over the limit" actually qualify once asset disregards and allowable costs are applied.
All main benefit rates were increased on 1 April 2026 in line with the Consumers Price Index (3.11%), so the figures on this site reflect the current 2026 rates. Rates are reviewed and adjusted annually every April.
How to Apply for Support
- Create a MyMSD account at my.msd.govt.nz β this is the single portal for most applications, updates, and reporting.
- Check your eligibility using the guides above: each page lists the residency, income, and asset requirements for that payment.
- Gather your documents: photo ID (passport, driver licence, or birth certificate), IRD number, bank details, and medical evidence if you are applying for a health-condition or disability payment.
- Submit your application online and attend any phone or in-person interview with a case manager.
- Apply for supplementary help at the same time β Accommodation Supplement and Temporary Additional Support are assessed with your main benefit application, so mention your rent or board costs when you apply.
If your circumstances change β income, address, relationship status, or time spent overseas β report it within 7 days through MyMSD. Prompt reporting prevents overpayments, which must be repaid, and keeps your payments correct.
Key 2026 Changes at a Glance
Several rates and rules changed on 1 April 2026. Main benefits rose with the annual CPI adjustment of 3.11%: Jobseeker Support for a single person aged 25+ is now $372.55 per week after tax, Sole Parent Support $521.52, and Supported Living Payment rates rose by the same index. The Winter Energy Payment continues at $20.46 per week for singles and $31.82 for couples and families across the 22-week season. Working for Families saw the In-Work Tax Credit temporarily boosted from $97.50 to $147.50 per week for the 2026-27 year, and Best Start rose to $77 per week ($4,041 per year) for children born on or after 1 April 2026. Accommodation Supplement maximums are scheduled to rise by $10β$30 per week from 1 April 2027. Rates vary by personal circumstances, so use the individual guides on this page for the details that apply to you.
Getting Started With Your Application
Applications for most benefits are completed online through MyMSD (Work and Income's portal) or by calling 0800 559 009. You will need your IRD number, identification, and details of your income, assets, and housing costs. Most first payments are processed within 1β2 weeks of a complete application. If you are unsure which benefit you qualify for, Work and Income's online eligibility tool or a free appointment with a case manager will clarify your options before you apply.
Benefit Rates 2026
Every main benefit rate at 1 April 2026: Jobseeker, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, NZ Super and the supplements that stack.
Jobseeker Support Rates 2026
$372.55 a week for a single person 25+, abatement above $160 a week, stand-down rules and work obligations.
Accommodation Supplement Rates
Area 1 to Area 4 maximums, entry thresholds, the 70% calculation and the $8,100 / $16,200 asset limits.
Best Start
$77 a week ($4,041 a year) for children under 3, the $79,000 income test and how it works with paid parental leave.
How to Apply for a Benefit
Step-by-step: MyMSD applications, documents you need, stand-downs, Advance Payments and what happens at your first interview.
Deep dive β 2026 update
Every main benefit rate at 1 April 2026
| Benefit | Situation | Net weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Jobseeker Support | Single 25 or over | $372.55 |
| Jobseeker Support | Couple with children (total) | $669.40 |
| Sole Parent Support | Sole parent | $521.52 |
| Supported Living Payment | Single 18 or over | $424.60 |
| NZ Super | Single living alone | $555.15 ($1,110.30 a fortnight) |
| NZ Super | Couple, both qualify (total) | $854.08 ($1,708.16 a fortnight) |
| Orphan's / Unsupported Child's Benefit | Child aged 14 or over | $350.58 (non-taxable) |
The supplements that most households should be claiming
- Accommodation Supplement β up to $165 a week single, $305 for a family with children in Area 1.
- Winter Energy Payment β $20.46 single, $31.82 couple or with children, 1 May to 1 October.
- Disability Allowance β up to $82.85 a week for ongoing medical and disability costs.
- Childcare Subsidy β up to $6.72 an hour, income tested.
- Temporary Additional Support β 70% of the shortfall between essential costs and income, in 13-week blocks.
- Working for Families and Best Start β paid by IRD, available alongside most benefits.
Start here depending on your situation
- Just lost work: Jobseeker Support and Jobseeker Support Rates 2026.
- Single parent: Sole Parent Support and Best Start.
- Ill or disabled: Supported Living Payment.
- Rent costs: Accommodation Supplement Rates.
- Working but on a low income: Working for Families.
- First-time applicant: How to Apply for a Benefit.
The three things that decide what you get
- Household type β single, couple, sole parent, and the ages of any children.
- Income β most payments abate from $160 a week of earnings before tax, then reduce as income rises.
- Cash assets β $8,100 single and $16,200 for a couple or sole parent for the Accommodation Supplement.
Rates change every 1 April through the Annual General Adjustment β check Work and Income's published rates before relying on these figures in a later year.