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Work homepage
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Overview
We can help you get ready to apply and find the right job for you. We can even help you while you're working.
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Get ready to work
You can get training, help with CVs and cover letters, and advice for job interviews.
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Find jobs
Find out what jobs are available, which job is best for you and how you can plan your career.
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Working
Whether you've just started a job or need some help at work, we've got your back.
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Lost your job
We'll help you get ready to find a new job and support you while you're between jobs.
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Start your own business
Get help to plan and set up a successful business or be a self-employed contractor.
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Benefits and payments homepage
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Overview
Take a look at the range of benefits and payments we have available.
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Not working
Redundancy, health condition or disability or another reason you can’t work
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Living expenses
Food, school costs, power, accommodation or other living expenses you need help with
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Relationship changes
You’ve had a relationship break-up, family breakdown or violent relationship end
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Health and Disability
Counselling, prescription and GP costs, medical alarms and other costs we can help with
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Seniors
Travelling overseas, how to apply, payment rates and dates, overseas pensions, income and other info for Seniors
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Caring
Caring for someone else’s child or someone with a health condition, injury or disability
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Urgent or unexpected costs
Dental, glasses, car repairs, fridge, washing machine, funeral or other urgent costs you need help with
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Children
Childcare, school uniforms, stationery, having a baby and other costs if you have children
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Moving to New Zealand
Payments you can get from us, settling into NZ, overseas pensions and more.
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Benefits and forms
A-Z list of benefits, forms, benefit rates
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On a benefit homepage
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Overview
Check out what you need to do when you're getting a benefit or other payment from us.
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Something's changed
Address, contact details, overseas travel, childcare, relationship or anything else that’s changed.
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Income
Declare income and income deduction tables
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Childcare
Change in your childcare situation, continue childcare payments, cohort entry schools and other childcare information
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Going overseas
Travelling or moving overseas may affect your payments.
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Re-apply
Re-apply for Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Temporary Additional Support and more
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Payments
Check or stop your payments, payment cards and other information
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Debt
Check your debt, repayments and other debt information
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Rights and responsibilities
Our commitment to you, obligations, complaints, benefit fraud and more
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Housing homepage
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Overview
Find out how we can help you with housing.
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Nowhere to stay
Get help if you have nowhere to stay right now.
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Find a house
Find out where to look for private housing, or apply for public (social) housing.
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Living in your home
Get help with accommodation costs, and advice on any housing issues and public housing tenancies.
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Moving house
Find out how we can help if you’re moving house.
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Other languages
Read some of our housing information in other languages.
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Car repairs
If your car needs to be fixed, we may be able to help.
- You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify for this help.
- You'll have to pay the money back.
Who can get it
You may get help if:
- you're 16 or over (if you're 16-19 and have a Youth Service provider, contact Youth Services)
- you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- you normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here
- you have an immediate or essential need
- you need the car for you, your partner or children
- you need the car because of either:
- a health condition
- disability
- employment
- lack of access to public transport
- you or your partner own the car, ie, you bought the car or were gifted it.
It also depends on:
- how much you and your partner earn
- any money or assets you and your partner have.
Current income limits
If you are: | Weekly income before tax is less than |
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Single and 16 to 17 years old | $825.30 |
Single and 18 years old or over | $948.50 |
Couple (with or without children) | $1,377.69 |
Sole parent with 1 child | $1,150.97 |
Sole parent with 2 or more children | $1,212.61 |
Asset limits
These don't include the things you need for day-to-day living, e.g. your home, car, and some payments after a severe weather event. They do include things like money in the bank, or a second property.
If you are: | Your assets are worth less than |
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Single | $1,338.90 |
Couple (with or without children) or sole parent | $2,230.96 |
What you can get
Generally we can pay up to $400 to help with some car repairs.
We don't usually pay for standard car costs, eg:
- fuel
- warrant of fitness
- car insurance
- car registration
- regular servicing costs.
How to apply
You need to call us on 0800 559 009
We'll talk with you to understand your situation and how we can help. We'll let you know what information you need to provide and how to get this to us.