Jobseeker Support
Updated 2026 MSD rates. Jobseeker Support is a weekly payment from Work and Income for people who are looking for work or who cannot work temporarily because of a health condition, injury, or disability.
Who Can Get It
To qualify for Jobseeker Support, you must:
- Be aged 18 years or over (16–17 in limited circumstances).
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (usually lived in NZ for at least 2 years since becoming a resident).
- Be available for, and actively seeking, full-time work (unless exempted).
- Not be in full-time study (unless on a limited exception).
- Meet the income and cash asset thresholds.
Weekly Rates (April 2026)
| Situation | Net Weekly Rate (NZ$) |
|---|---|
| Single 25 or over | $372.55 |
| Single 20–24 | $324.50 |
| Single 18–19, away from home | $324.50 |
| Single 18–19, living at home | $276.46 |
| Couple, no children (total) | $633.94 |
| Couple with children, partner on benefit (total) | $669.40 |
| Sole parent | $521.52 |
Rates are adjusted each year on 1 April in line with the Consumers Price Index (the 2026 adjustment reflected 3.11% CPI growth, taking the single 25+ rate from $361.32 to $372.55). These are after-tax rates at the M tax code.
Work Obligations
Most Jobseeker Support recipients must:
- Actively look for full-time work (at least 20 hours per week job search activities).
- Accept suitable job offers.
- Attend interviews and appointments with Work and Income.
- Take part in activities agreed in your Jobseeker Support plan.
If you have a health condition or disability, you may have reduced obligations or be exempted entirely (Jobseeker Support — Health Condition, Injury, or Disability).
How to Apply
- Create a MyMSD account online.
- Complete the online application form for Jobseeker Support.
- Provide identification documents (passport, birth certificate, or driver licence).
- Upload medical evidence if applying for the health condition stream.
- Attend a phone or in-person interview with a case manager.
Stand-down Period
If you left your last job voluntarily or were dismissed for misconduct, a stand-down of up to 13 weeks may apply. No stand-down for medical reasons.
Abatement (Income You Can Earn)
You can earn some income before your benefit reduces:
- Single or sole parent: up to $160 per week before abatement (before tax).
- After that, your benefit reduces by 70 cents for every $1 you earn (after tax).
What the Rate Table Means in Practice
The rates above are after-tax (net) figures at the M tax code, which is what most beneficiaries use. If you have a second job or higher tax code, your net payment may differ slightly. The 1 April 2026 adjustment increased the single 25+ rate from $361.32 to $372.55 per week, in line with 3.11% CPI growth — the largest single-year increase in recent memory.
Remember that Jobseeker Support is rarely your only income. Most recipients also receive the Accommodation Supplement (if they pay rent, board, or a mortgage above the area entry threshold) and the Winter Energy Payment ($20.46/week for singles from 1 May to 1 October). A single person over 25 paying rent in central Auckland, for example, could receive $372.55 (Jobseeker) + up to $165 (Accommodation Supplement) + $20.46 (winter) per week — around $558 per week during winter.
Key Considerations for 2026
- Changes for 18–19 year olds: from November 2026, 18- and 19-year-olds must pass a Parental Assistance Test (income and support-gap assessment) to qualify for Jobseeker Support or Emergency Benefit. This does not apply to 18–19 year olds with children.
- Stand-downs: if you resigned voluntarily or were dismissed for misconduct, a stand-down of up to 13 weeks applies. There is no stand-down for medical reasons.
- Sanctions: missing appointments or declining suitable work can trigger a 50% reduction or full suspension. Always tell Work and Income before a deadline if you cannot attend.
- Overseas travel: most benefits stop after 4 weeks overseas — tell Work and Income before you leave.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not reporting income changes. Even casual or part-time earnings affect your payment — report within 7 days to avoid an overpayment debt.
- Assuming part-time study disqualifies you. Limited exceptions exist; check with a case manager before dropping a course.
- Ignoring the abatement threshold. You can earn up to $160 per week (before tax) before your benefit reduces — part-time work up to that level does not cut your payment at all.
- Not applying for Accommodation Supplement. It is a separate entitlement; if you pay rent or board, ask for it to be assessed with your application.
Deep dive — 2026 update
Abatement: exactly how much you can earn
You can earn up to $160 a week before tax before your Jobseeker Support is affected. Above that, the reduction depends on your household:
| Household | Abatement above $160 a week |
|---|---|
| Single | 70 cents for every $1 earned |
| Couple (combined income) | 35 cents each for every $1 of combined earnings |
Worked example — a single person on $372.55 a week taking a part-time job paying $300 a week before tax:
- Earnings over the threshold: $300 − $160 = $140.
- Abatement: $140 × 70% = $98.00.
- Benefit after abatement: $372.55 − $98.00 = $274.55.
- Total weekly income: $300 + $274.55 = $574.55 — a $202 increase for taking the job.
You must still declare the earnings every week (or fortnight). Not declaring them is the most common cause of an overpayment and, because the information is matched against IRD and employer data, it is almost always detected.
Stand-down: what delays the first payment
- Income-based stand-down of up to 2 weeks, based on what you earned in the 26 weeks before you applied. Higher recent earnings mean a longer stand-down.
- No stand-down if you were on a low income before applying — for example, you were studying or caring for children at home.
- Benefits are paid in arrears, so even with no stand-down the first payment arrives about a week after you are granted.
- Living costs while you wait: an Advance Payment of Benefit can bridge the gap, repaid from future benefit payments.
Work obligations in 2026
- Work obligations apply if you have a partner who works, or you are aged 18–19 (some exceptions) — job search and interviews are required.
- Work preparation applies if you have a child under 3, or you are aged 20–24 without work obligations.
- No obligations if you have a child under 3, are aged 16–19 in some situations, or have a health condition or disability affecting your ability to work.
- Minimum hours requirements increase with the age of your youngest child — 20 hours a week once your youngest is 3, 30 hours at 14.
Missed obligations escalate: the first failure suspends the benefit, a second within 12 months brings a 50% sanction, and a third a full suspension. Contact your case manager early — a missed appointment fixed the same day is not the same as a pattern of non-compliance.
What to bring to the first appointment
- Photo identification and your IRD number.
- Bank account details in your own name.
- Proof of housing costs — tenancy agreement, board statement or mortgage documents.
- Full income details for the last 26 weeks, including any final pay or holiday pay.
- Details of any partner and their income, if applicable.