Unemployment Benefit
Unemployment Benefit is a weekly payment which helps people who are looking for work or training for work.
Who can get it
You may get the Unemployment Benefit if you are not in full-time work.
You must be:
- available for, and looking for full time work
- 18 years old or over (or 16-17 if you are married or in a civil union or in a de facto relationship and have one or more children you support).
You must also (unless you are in hardship):
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- have lived in New Zealand for at least 2 years at any one time since becoming a New Zealand citizen or resident (unless you are a refugee).
You should also normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
You may still qualify if you are a full-time trainee on an approved work related course (usually less than 12 weeks) and looking for work.
This information is a guide only. Contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
Are you eligible?
Find out if you might get this benefit, and what other financial assistance may be available to you.
If you don’t want to complete the form online you can print out and complete the appropriate application form below.
If you can’t print the form out we’ll send an application form to you or you can complete it when you come in to see us.
We can grant you the financial assistance you’re entitled to from the date you first contact us if you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.
Contact us for more information