Changes to how much you can earn from 1 April

16 February 2021.

From 1 April 2021, you'll be able to earn more from work or other income each week before your benefit is affected. This is called the income abatement threshold.

From 1 April 2021, you may earn up to $160 before tax each week before your benefit reduces.

If you get a benefit currently, any changes to your payments will be calculated automatically. You don’t need to do anything.

Benefit

How much you can earn before your benefit reduces
Current (before 1 April 2021) From 1 April 2021
Jobseeker Support (except for sole parents and partners of NZ Superannuitants). $90

$160

Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment (except for partners of NZ Superannuitants), and Veteran’s Pension (under 65 years old).

$115

$160
NZ Super/Veteran’s Pension with a non-qualifying partner included.

$115

160

Youth Payment and Young Parent Payment are not affected as they have different income abatement rules.

How much your income will reduce your benefit from 1 April 2021

The amount deducted from your payment depends on the benefit you're on and your situation. Find out how this affects different payment types:

From 1 April 2021, you can earn up to $160 a week (before tax) before it affects your payments.

When you earn more than this, your payment reduces by 70 cents for every extra $1 of income you earn.

Other payments you get, eg Accommodation Supplement, may also be affected.

From 1 April 2021, you can earn up to $160 a week (before tax) before it affects your payments.

When you earn more than $160 a week before tax:

  • if you earn between $160 and $250 a week (before tax) your benefit will reduce by 30 cents for each $1 of income
  • if you earn over $250 a week (before tax) your benefit will reduce by 70 cents for every $1 of income.

Other payments you get, eg Accommodation Supplement, may also be affected.

From 1 April 2021, you can earn up to $160 (before tax) a week before it affects your Jobseeker Support.

If you earn more than this, your payment reduces by 35 cents for every extra $1 of income you earn.

Other payments you get, eg Accommodation Supplement, may also be affected. Your partner’s NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension will not be affected and is not counted as income.

From 1 April 2021, you can earn up to $160 a week (before tax) before it affects both of your payments.

When you earn more than this, you and your partner's payments will reduce by 35 cents each (70 cents in total) for every extra $1 of income you earn.

Other payments you get, eg Accommodation Supplement, may also be affected.

From 1 April 2021, you can earn up to $160 a week (before tax) before it affects your Supported Living Payment.

When you earn more than $160 a week before tax:

  • if you earn between $160 and $250 a week (before tax) your benefit will reduce by 15 cents for each $1 of income.
  • if you earn over $250 a week (before tax) your benefit will reduce by 35 cents for every $1 of income.

Other payments you get, eg Accommodation Supplement, may also be affected. Your partner’s NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension will not be affected and is not counted as income.