What's new

Initial stand-down periods

The current initial stand-down periods have been updated with the change to the gross Average Ordinary Time Weekly Wage (AOTWW) rate at 7 May 2025. See:

• Current stand-down periods

$5k to Work - End of transitional period

The transitional period for $5k to Work has ended. The following pages have been updated to reflect this:

• Incentive payments
• Incentive payment - $5k to Work
• Deciding if someone was at risk of long-term benefit receipt
• "In flight" $5k to Work applications

Special Needs Grants - Rural assistance payments - North and South Island drought 2025

Rural assistance payments have been activated from 28 April 2025 for primary-industry farmers affected by ongoing drought conditions in Northland, Waikato, Horizons, Taranaki, and Top of the South. Payments will be deactivated at the close of 28 October 2025 unless extended. See:

• Rural assistance payments
• North and South Island drought 2025