People affected by COVID-19

We can help you and your whānau if you've been affected by COVID-19. This includes if you're self-isolating or can't work right now.

COVID-19 payments or support available

COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme

This payment is for employers and self-employed people. It's to help them pay employees who are self-isolating because of COVID-19 (or looking after someone who has COVID-19) and can't work from home.

Your employer has to apply for this for you. If you’re self-employed, you’re considered your own employee, and can apply for yourself.

Find out more about the Leave Support Scheme:

COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme homepage
Who can get it
How to apply
Payment rates and processing times

Help while you're self-isolating

You may be able to get:

  • money for urgent costs or bills
  • help from a community organisation near you for practical support like delivering food or medicine.
Get help while you're self-isolating

Check what other payments you might get

We have lots of other payments available to help people depending on their situation.

Use Check What You Might Get, our online guide, to see what payments you may be able to get from us and how to apply for them.

Check What You Might Get

Urgent or unexpected costs

If you're struggling to meet your living costs, or get an unexpected bill, we might be able to help you, even if you're working.

We can help with things like:

  • food
  • power, gas, water or heating bills
  • rent, mortgage or board payments
  • medical or dental treatment
  • car or house repairs
  • whiteware, or
  • glasses.
Urgent or unexpected costs