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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Assistance - Jobseeker support

25: Jobseeker support: discretionary grant on ground of hardship

You could also call this:

“Jobseeker support: extra money for people who are struggling financially”

You can get jobseeker support if you’re in a tough spot and need help. This is called a discretionary grant on the ground of hardship. Here’s what you need to know:

You might be able to get this support if you’re having a hard time financially. You need to be unable to get any other main benefit, New Zealand superannuation, or veteran’s pension. Also, you must not be able to earn enough money to support yourself and your family.

There are a few ways you can be eligible for this support:

If you meet certain requirements about your age, residency, and work status, you might be eligible.

If you’re a full-time student, you might be able to get this support during the break between academic years if you meet certain conditions.

If you’re a full-time student who is 16 or 17 years old, you might also be eligible during the break between academic years. This can happen if you don’t have enough parental support or if you’re in a relationship.

The government department called MSD (Ministry of Social Development) will decide if you can get this support based on your situation.

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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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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 2 Assistance
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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