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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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Payment issues
Fixing issues with Accommodation Supplement, Special Benefit and other payments we’ve made
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16-19 year olds
Education, training, work and benefit help for 16-19 year olds
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Benefits and forms
A-Z list of benefits, forms, benefit rates
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Work homepage
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Overview
Find out what services we can offer to help you find work and when you start a new job.
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Looking for work
We have jobs available now in various industries and you can search on our job websites.
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Help with your job search
From advice on making a plan, to tips on where to look and following up leads.
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Training and experience
Our programmes can help you get ready for work with training and work experience.
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Job Connect on Facebook
Find out how we can help you get ready to work, find work, and support available while you're working.
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CVs and cover letters
We’ve got great templates and advice for writing your CV or cover letter, and filling out job applications.
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Help with work costs
Get help to pay for the things you need to start work
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Job support and advice
Get all the support and advice you need to stay in work.
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Health and disability
If you want to work, we can support you to find the right job for you.
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Start your own business
We can help you get your business up and running.
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Job interviews
Get advice about how to prepare for and deliver a great interview.
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Help for 16-19 year olds
We’ve got extra support for young people to get ready for work and find a job.
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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, wages deduction calculator and 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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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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Move house
Find out how we can help if you’re moving house.
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Apply online
You can apply online for most benefits or payments.
Follow the steps on this page to apply online for most benefits or payments, except for:
- NZ Super - go to Apply for NZ Super
- COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme - go to How to apply for COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
- help while you’re self-isolating - go to Help while you’re self-isolating
- if you're on a study break and planning to return to study - go to Apply for Jobseeker Support Student Hardship on the StudyLink website.
Cyclone Gabrielle
Support and assistance may be available if you've been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. There are lots of ways we may be able to help, and we can point you in the right direction based on your situation.
Before you start - what you need to know
There are 3 steps to apply:
- Get a client number (if you don't already have one).
- Complete the online application form
- Complete your next steps.
You can be granted financial assistance from the date you request it. If you can't apply online today contact us now if you haven't already done so.
You have 20 working days from the date you first contact us to complete the application process.
Step 1 - Get a client number (if you don't have one)
This is a 9 digit number we issue you the first time you deal with us. This could be through Work and Income, StudyLink, Seniors or Youth Services. You'll need this anytime you contact us.
If you don't have a client number, or can't remember it, you can request one by completing an online form. You'll need to tell us a few details like your name, date of birth, address and IRD number.
If you request a client number, we'll email or text one to you within 1-2 working days. If you fill in your IRD number, we can get back to you in a few hours.
After you get your client number, you'll need to apply in MyMSD.
Step 2 - Complete online application form
You complete the online application form in MyMSD. MyMSD is our online service where you can apply and manage your information online.
Never used MyMSD
If you've never used MyMSD before, you'll need to register first. Enter your client number and date of birth, and follow the instructions to register.
Once you're in MyMSD, select 'Apply' to go to the online form. Some of your information will be automatically pre-filled, based off information you've already told us.
Used MyMSD before
Log in and select 'Apply' to go to the online form. Some of your information will be automatically pre-filled, based off information you've already told us.
Can't use MyMSD
If you can't use MyMSD, call us on 0800 559 009. We'll talk with you about the best way for you to apply. In most cases we'll need you to come in for a face-to-face appointment. Find a Service Centre - Work and Income
However, there may be times we'll be able to support you over the phone.