Benefits & Welfare
Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, Accommodation Supplement, Working for Families, and benefit appeals in New Zealand.
Covered in this guide:
New Zealand's income-support system is run by Work and Income (part of the Ministry of Social Development, MSD) under the Social Security Act 2018. The main payments are Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, the Supported Living Payment, and the Accommodation Supplement for housing costs. Rates are adjusted every 1 April. If MSD makes a decision you disagree with, you can ask for a review (Benefits Review Committee) and then appeal to the independent Social Security Appeal Authority.
Rates current as at 1 April 2026 — re-verify on workandincome.govt.nz. Work and Income: 0800 559 009.
Key Laws
Social Security Act 2018
Public Act 2018 No 32
Main benefits, eligibility, obligations, abatement, and the review/appeal rights.
Social Security Regulations 2018
LI 2018/202
Detailed rules, rates and thresholds under the Act.
Jobseeker Support
Jobseeker Support is the main working-age benefit for people who are looking for work, or who can't work for now because of a health condition or disability. It's paid by Work and Income under the Soc...
Sole Parent Support
Sole Parent Support helps single parents (or principal caregivers) with at least one dependent child under 14. It's paid under the Social Security Act 2018 by Work and Income. From 1 April 2026, the n...
Supported Living Payment
The Supported Living Payment is for people who are permanently and severely restricted in their capacity to work by a health condition, injury or disability, or who are caring full-time for someone wh...
Accommodation Supplement
The Accommodation Supplement is a weekly payment that helps with your housing costs — rent, board, or mortgage payments. Importantly, you don't have to be on a benefit to get it: low-income working ho...
Working for Families (Benefit Interface)
Working for Families tops up the income of families with children, and it works alongside benefits and wages. It's jointly handled by Inland Revenue and Work and Income: if you're on a benefit, the Fa...
Benefit Reviews and Appeals
If Work and Income / MSD declines your benefit, sets an amount you think is wrong, recovers an overpayment, or imposes a sanction, you have the right to challenge it under the Social Security Act 2018...