ReStart
ReStart is a package of payments and employment and job services to help if you’ve recently been made redundant from full-time work. You may also be able to get this if you're self employed and entitled to Unemployment Benefit.
The ReStart package: ReCover, RePlace and ReConnect
Who can get it
To get some or all of ReStart assistance you must:
- have been made redundant from full-time work on or after 8 November 2008 or have been self employed and are now entitled to Unemployment Benefit
- have been working for at least six months immediately before you were made redundant – although you could have worked for more than one employer
- be looking for a full time job
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
ReCover
To get ReCover payments you must also:
- have a dependent child or children
- have qualified for an in-work tax credit immediately before you were made redundant but no longer qualify.
You can’t get ReCover payments while your spouse or partner is also getting them. You may however be able to get ReCover payments when your spouse or partner no longer gets them. Contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
RePlace
To get RePlace payments you must also:
- be getting the maximum amount of Accommodation Supplement
- not have received a redundancy payment of $25,000 net or more.
You can’t get RePlace payments while your spouse or partner is also getting them. You may however be able to get RePlace payments when your spouse or partner no longer gets them. Contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
ReConnect
If you qualify for ReStart you automatically qualify for ReConnect. Even if you don't qualify for ReConnect we can still help you find a job that's right for you.
What we mean by redundancy
Redundancy means that your employer has decided the job you’re doing no longer exists, and you've been laid off. It does not mean:
- being dismissed or fired
- completing a fixed term contract
- completing a seasonal contract.
The date of your redundancy is the last day on which you were entitled to wages, salary or holiday pay from your job but not including any redundancy payment.
Websites that may help
A payment for families who work a minimum number of hours each week. It used to be called an in-work payment.
How much you can get
ReCover payments are:
- $60 per week if you have one to three dependent children
- an extra $15 per week for each additional dependent child.
RePlace payments can be up $100 per week. The amount you get depends on your circumstances.
ReCover and RePlace payments:
- are non-taxable
- don’t affect your tax payment or any tax credits you get
- aren’t treated as income when working out most other benefit payments.
Talk to us about how we can help you find a job through ReConnect. We offer a range of employment services, if you'd like more information read:
How long you can get it
The ReStart package can be paid for a maximum of 16 weeks. Payments stop if you start a job which is either:
- 30 hours a week or more (a total which, for a couple, includes those hours worked by your spouse or partner when he or she works less than 30 hours)
- 30 hours a week or more, only when your partner is also working 30 hours a week or more
- 30 hours a week or more if you are single with no children
- 20 hours a week or more if you're a sole parent
We will temporarily stop your payments if:
- you get a job that lasts for less than four weeks
- you start work covered by an employment trial (only once).
We'll start your payments again, so long as you still qualify, once you finish your job or employment trial.
For more information
If you'd like more information:
- call the ReStart Line: 0800 559 000 Monday to Friday 7am - 6pm
- read:
How to apply
Contact us to talk about your circumstances and we’ll explain how to apply. We’ll normally arrange a meeting with you and will tell you what you need to bring.
You have 20 working days to apply from the date of your redundancy.