Jobseeker Support

What Is This Payment?

Jobseeker Support is a weekly income support administered by Work and Income, the service delivery arm of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). It is the primary safety-net benefit for New Zealand adults aged 18 to 64 who are out of work or temporarily unable to work because of a health condition or injury. Like all main benefits, it is income-tested: both the claimant's earnings and (where applicable) the partner's earnings reduce the payable amount through the abatement formula described below.

Applications are lodged online via the MyMSD portal at any time of day, or in person at a Work and Income service centre. MSD also accepts phone applications in some circumstances. Once approved, payments are made fortnightly directly into a nominated New Zealand bank account. Recipients must report their fortnightly earnings and promptly notify MSD of any change in circumstances — partner status, address, or work capacity — that could affect the entitlement.

Jobseeker Support is designed as subsistence support during a period of unemployment or a temporary health-related gap in paid work. It differs from Sole Parent Support (SPS), which is targeted specifically at single parents with dependent children under 14 and carries a higher base rate of $521.52 per week in 2026. It also differs from NZ Super, which begins automatically at age 65 and is not income-tested in the same way. Youth Payment and Young Parent Payment cover claimants under 18. Understanding which payment applies to your situation is important: claiming the wrong one does not automatically redirect you and can delay your first payment.

How Much Can You Get?

The 2026 weekly rates are: single person aged 25 or over (no children): $372.55/wk; single person aged 18-24 not living with family: $324.50/wk; single person aged 18-19 living with family: $276.46/wk; single with children (sole-parent style): $521.52/wk; couple no children (total household): $633.94/wk (approximately $316.97 each); couple with children (total household): $669.40/wk.

Income abatement applies once combined household income exceeds $160 per week. For most claimant types the reduction is 70 cents for every dollar above that threshold. For single claimants with children, a two-step rate applies: 30 cents per dollar is deducted on income between $160 and $250 per week, then 70 cents per dollar on income above $250 per week. For partnered claimants, both incomes are added together before comparing against the $160 threshold.

Worked example 1 (below threshold): Ngaio is 28, single, and earns $100 per week from casual work. Her base rate is $372.55. Because $100 is below the $160 threshold, excess income is nil. Reduction: $0. Net payment: $372.55/wk.

Worked example 2 (above threshold): Lani is 32, single, and earns $250 per week part-time. Base rate: $372.55. Excess income: $250 − $160 = $90. Reduction: $90 × 0.70 = $63.00. Net payment: $372.55 − $63.00 = $309.55/wk.

Eligibility Conditions

The Benefit Check rule engine evaluates these conditions in order. All gates must pass for a non-zero payment to be returned.

1. residency in {citizen, pr, qualifying_visa} — you must hold New Zealand citizenship, a permanent resident visa, or a qualifying temporary visa recognised by MSD.
2. age >= 18 AND age < 65 — the payment covers the 18-to-64 age band only. Youth Payment applies below 18; NZ Super applies from 65.
3. employment_status in {not_working, health_condition} — you must not be in full-time employment or full-time self-employment. A health condition that prevents you from working satisfies this gate.
4. is_sole_parent = false — if you are a sole parent, the Jobseeker rule returns $0 immediately. You must apply for Sole Parent Support instead, which pays $521.52 per week in 2026.
5. If partner_status = partnered: partner_income must also be declared — both incomes are combined to calculate the abatement against the $160/wk threshold.

Note: a health condition (employment_status = health_condition) grants access to Jobseeker but does not exempt you from eventual work-capacity reviews. MSD can require a medical certificate and may reassess your capacity periodically. Returning to full work capacity triggers standard job-seeking obligations.

How To Apply

The simplest channel is the MyMSD online portal. You can start the application, upload documents, and track progress without visiting a service centre. Alternatively, visit a Work and Income service centre in person or call 0800 559 009.

Gather the following before you start:

• NZ identity document: passport, driver licence, birth certificate, or RealMe verified identity.
• IRD number and a New Zealand bank account number for payment.
• Proof of residency status if you are not a New Zealand citizen (visa documentation, immigration letter).
• Recent payslips or a letter from your last employer confirming employment ended, if you stopped work recently.
• Medical certificate from a registered health practitioner if you are applying on the basis of a health condition (employment_status = health_condition).
• Partner's income details if you are partnered (fortnightly or annual gross earnings).

MSD typically makes a decision within 5 to 10 working days. Once approved, payments are made fortnightly. Ongoing obligations include reporting your actual fortnightly income every two weeks via MyMSD, and reporting any change in partner status, address, or work capacity promptly. Active job-seeking obligations apply unless a health condition exempts you, in which case MSD will specify the terms of any work-preparation activities required.

Rule-Based Scenarios

These three scenarios use the exact decision logic from the Benefit Check rule engine. Each mirrors a real eligibility path.

Scenario 1 — Full rate, below threshold

Hirini is 34, a New Zealand citizen, single with no children, and was made redundant three weeks ago. He has no current earnings. His employment_status = not_working, is_sole_parent = false, age = 34. All gates pass. Income = $0, which is below the $160 threshold, so abatement is $0. Jobseeker Support pays $372.55 per week. Hirini also qualifies for Accommodation Supplement and a Community Services Card, which can be claimed alongside Jobseeker. He is required to report fortnightly and actively look for work.

Scenario 2 — Partial payment after abatement

Mele is 29, a permanent resident, single, and works 15 hours per week earning $300 per week. Her employment_status = not_working (part-time does not count as full employment under MSD's criteria), is_sole_parent = false, age = 29. All gates pass. Excess income: $300 − $160 = $140. Reduction: $140 × 0.70 = $98.00. Net payment: $372.55 − $98.00 = $274.55 per week. Mele receives a partial Jobseeker payment and must continue reporting her actual earnings each fortnight.

Scenario 3 — Blocked (sole parent)

Deepa is 31, a New Zealand citizen, and has one child aged 4. She is not working. She believes she can claim Jobseeker Support. However, is_sole_parent = true, so the Jobseeker rule immediately returns $0. Deepa must instead claim Sole Parent Support, which pays $521.52 per week in 2026 and uses a different two-step abatement (30c/$ from $160 to $250, then 70c/$ above $250). Applying for Jobseeker would result in a declined or $0 decision; Sole Parent Support is the correct payment for her situation.

Common Mistakes

• Applying as sole parent: If is_sole_parent = true, Jobseeker Support returns exactly $0 — not a reduced amount, but nothing. Sole parents with children under 14 must claim Sole Parent Support ($521.52/wk in 2026) instead. Applying for the wrong payment causes a delay of 5 to 10 working days while MSD processes the incorrect claim.
• Forgetting the $160/wk income threshold: Many part-time workers assume any earnings reduce their payment. In fact, combined household income below $160 per week does not reduce the payment at all. Only income above $160/wk triggers the 70 cents-per-dollar deduction. Earning $150/wk still means full rate.
• Not counting partner income: For partnered claimants, both incomes are pooled before the $160/wk threshold is applied. A partner earning $200/wk alone would already exceed the threshold by $40, reducing the claimant's weekly payment by $28 (i.e. $40 × 0.70) before the claimant earns anything themselves.
• Claiming at age 65: Jobseeker Support has a hard age cut-off at 64. From age 65, NZ Super applies automatically (paid at a separate weekly rate of approximately $496/wk single-living-alone in 2026). Applying for Jobseeker at 65 will be declined; there is no overlap period.
• Treating health condition as permanent eligibility: An employment status of health_condition grants access to Jobseeker, but MSD requires a medical certificate and conducts periodic capacity reviews. When a work-capacity assessment finds you fit to work, standard job-seeking obligations kick in. Ignoring MSD letters requesting reviews risks suspension of payment.
• Confusing Jobseeker rate with Sole Parent Support rate for parents: Some single people with children (who are not sole parents in the legal sense) assume they receive $521.52/wk through Jobseeker. The Jobseeker rate for most single claimants is $372.55/wk. The $521.52/wk rate applies only to Sole Parent Support recipients, who must meet different eligibility criteria including having a dependent child under 14.

Related Benefits

• Sole Parent Support — direct alternative: sole parents are excluded from Jobseeker and must claim Sole Parent Support ($521.52/wk in 2026) instead. The two payments are mutually exclusive.
• Accommodation Supplement — can stack on top of Jobseeker for renters and boarders paying above the area-specific entry threshold; does not reduce Jobseeker payments.
• Winter Energy Payment — automatically added for Jobseeker recipients during the 22-week winter period (May to September) without a separate application.
• Community Services Card — can be held alongside Jobseeker Support for subsidised GP visits and reduced prescription costs; apply through Work and Income.
• Training Incentive Allowance — complement payment that can be added when a Jobseeker recipient is enrolled in approved study, covering course costs up to set limits.
• Work Bonus — transition support payment when a Jobseeker recipient starts employment, covering one-off work-related costs such as clothing, tools, or childcare deposits.