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Government assistance

Financial support

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Work and Income New Zealand

There is a range of income support available for young people whether you are working, studying, looking for work or under 18 and living independently from your family.

The best place to find out more are the Work and Income and Studylink websites. They have heaps more information and call centre folks or staff at your local WINZ are there to help.

Benefit entitlements vary depending on your circumstances, such as your age, where you live, if you have a partner or children and whether or not you work or study. For most benefits you have to be 18 or over and have lived in NZ continuously for two years or more, although there are some exceptions to this.

 

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Youth Payment

Youth Payment is a weekly payment which helps young people between 16 and 18 who cannot be financially supported by their parent or guardian or anyone else due to family breakdown.

Youthline Auckland is a provider of the Youth Services so if you live in the Auckland region, click here to find out more.

If you live outside of Auckland, click here to find your local provider.

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Youth Parent Payment

Young Parent Payment is a weekly payment which helps young parents aged between 16 and 18 years old.

Youthline Auckland is a provider of the Youth Services so if you live in the Auckland region, click here to find out more.

If you live outside of Auckland, click here to find your local provider.

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Jobseeker Support Payment

Jobseeker Support Payment (which has replaced the ‘unemployment benefit’ and the ‘sickness benefit’) provides a weekly payment to people looking for work or people who want to work full time but can’t due to a health condition, injury, mental health issue or disability.

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Supported Living Payment

Supported Living Payment (which replaced the ‘invalids benefit’) is assistance for people who have, or are caring for someone with a health condition, injury or disability.

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Sole Parent Support Payment

Sole Parent Support Payment helps single parents and caregivers of dependent kids prepare for part-time work while providing financial help through a weekly payment.

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Extra Help

There are also extra supplements available. You may qualify for some of these even if you are not on a benefit but may be on a low income.

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Accommodation Supplement

Accommodation Supplement is a weekly payment which helps people with their rent, board or mortgage.

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Disability allowance

Disability allowance can help you pay for ongoing medical costs related to a disability, including counselling costs. The application for this allowance must be supported by your doctor.

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Community Services Card

The Community Services Card can help you with the costs of health care and some health services, like doctors and prescription fees.

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Transition to Work Grant

Transition to Work Grant helps people with the costs of moving into a job, including clothes for an interview, living expenses before your first pay and job search costs. 

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Temporary Additional Support

Temporary additional support is a weekly payment when can’t meet your essential living costs from what they earn or from other sources. This can include food, emergency dental or medical payments, or essential items like a washing machine or fridge.

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Tips for applying for financial help

  • When filling out Work and Income forms it is important to answer every question honestly
  • If you make a mistake on the form, cross it out, rewrite the answer and sign next to it.
  • Always make sure that you have all of the information and proof that is asked for, such as ID, bank statements, medical certificates, and earnings summaries. All of these things need to be the original documents – Work and Income cannot accept photocopies, emailed documents or faxes
  • The more prepared you are for you appointment with the things that you need, the quicker you can get the money.
  • Make an appointment to see a case manager before you go in to Work and Income. If you just drop in they may be booked up for the day and unable to see you.
  • Be on time for the appointment, otherwise you may miss out and have to re-book.
  • You can have a support person attend appointments with you, whether that be a family member, friend or social worker.
  • For more info on any of the benefits listed above and many more options, click here
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