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Social Security Act 2018

Assistance - Jobseeker support

25: Jobseeker support: discretionary grant on ground of hardship

You could also call this:

"Help with money if you're looking for a job and really need it"

Illustration for Social Security Act 2018

You might get jobseeker support from MSD if you are in hardship. You must not be able to get any other main benefit under this Act, or New Zealand superannuation, or a veteran's pension. You must also not be able to earn enough money to support yourself and your family.

You can get this support if you meet the requirements in section 20(a), (b), and (c). If you are a full-time student, you can get this support during the holidays between academic years if you meet the requirements in section 20(c) and (d).

If you are 16 or 17 years old and a full-time student, you can get this support during the holidays if MSD thinks you have a parental support gap, which is explained in section 52(1)(a), (b), or (c), or if you are in a relationship.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783157.

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Money and consumer rights > TaxesWork and jobs > Worker rights
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24: Jobseeker support: no or minimum income, or

"You can get help if you have no money or very little money"

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26: Jobseeker support: ineligibility, or

"When you can't get jobseeker support"

Part 2Assistance
Jobseeker support

25Jobseeker support: discretionary grant on ground of hardship

  1. MSD may grant jobseeker support to a person (P) who is eligible under subsection (2), (3), or (4) if P—

  2. is in hardship; and
    1. is not entitled or eligible to receive any other main benefit under this Act or New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension; and
      1. is unable to earn enough income to support P and P’s spouse or partner (if any) and dependent children (if any).

        1. P is eligible under this subsection if P meets the requirements in section 20(a), (b), and (c).

        2. P is eligible under this subsection, during the period between the end of one academic year and the start of the next, if P is a full-time student and meets the requirements in section 20(c) and (d).

        3. P is eligible under this subsection, during the period between the end of one academic year and the start of the next, if P is a full-time student who is aged 16 or 17 years and MSD is satisfied that—

        4. P has a parental support gap (as defined in section 52(1)(a), (b), or (c), but not as defined in section 52(1)(d)); or
          1. P is in a relationship.

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