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Work homepage
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Overview
We can help you get ready to apply and find the right job for you. We can even help you while you're working.
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Get ready to work
You can get training, help with CVs and cover letters, and advice for job interviews.
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Find jobs
Find out what jobs are available, which job is best for you and how you can plan your career.
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Working
Whether you've just started a job or need some help at work, we've got your back.
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Lost your job
We'll help you get ready to find a new job and support you while you're between jobs.
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Start your own business
Get help to plan and set up a successful business or be a self-employed contractor.
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Benefits and payments homepage
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Overview
Take a look at the range of benefits and payments we have available.
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Not working
Redundancy, health condition or disability or another reason you can’t work
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Living expenses
Food, school costs, power, accommodation or other living expenses you need help with
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Relationship changes
You’ve had a relationship break-up, family breakdown or violent relationship end
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Health and Disability
Counselling, prescription and GP costs, medical alarms and other costs we can help with
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Seniors
Travelling overseas, how to apply, payment rates and dates, overseas pensions, income and other info for Seniors
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Caring
Caring for someone else’s child or someone with a health condition, injury or disability
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Urgent or unexpected costs
Dental, glasses, car repairs, fridge, washing machine, funeral or other urgent costs you need help with
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Children
Childcare, school uniforms, stationery, having a baby and other costs if you have children
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Moving to New Zealand
Payments you can get from us, settling into NZ, overseas pensions and more.
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Benefits and forms
A-Z list of benefits, forms, benefit rates
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On a benefit homepage
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Overview
Check out what you need to do when you're getting a benefit or other payment from us.
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Something's changed
Address, contact details, overseas travel, childcare, relationship or anything else that’s changed.
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Income
Declare income and income deduction tables
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Childcare
Change in your childcare situation, continue childcare payments, cohort entry schools and other childcare information
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Going overseas
Going on holiday or going to live overseas
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Re-apply
Re-apply for Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Temporary Additional Support and more
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Payments
Check or stop your payments, payment cards and other information
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Debt
Check your debt, repayments and other debt information
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Rights and responsibilities
Our commitment to you, obligations, complaints, benefit fraud and more
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Housing homepage
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Overview
Find out how we can help you with housing.
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Nowhere to stay
Get help if you have nowhere to stay right now.
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Find a house
Find out where to look for private housing, or apply for public (social) housing.
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Living in your home
Get help with accommodation costs, and advice on any housing issues and public housing tenancies.
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Move house
Find out how we can help if you’re moving house.
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Other languages
Read some of our housing information in other languages.
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Help with back to school costs
20 January 2023.
We may be able to help you pay for school uniforms, stationery, and childcare costs, if you’re on a low income or a benefit.
The start of the year can be a difficult time financially, especially if you have children going back to school. If you're struggling, we may be able to help.
Uniforms and stationery
If you need help with stationery or uniforms, you can ask Work and Income for help. You will need to pay this money back to us. You can read more about this on our page:
If you are a current client, you may be able to apply using MyMSD. MyMSD will tell you what information we need and if you need to talk with us.
Caring for someone else's child
If you’re caring for someone else’s child, and you're getting Unsupported Child's Benefit or Orphan's Benefit, you can get the School and Year Start-up Payment. For 2023, applications are open from 16 January to 28 February. You don’t need to pay this back:
Childcare assistance
If you need help with childcare costs, such as before or after school care, we may be able to help you.
If you already get childcare payments for your child:
If you get an OSCAR Subsidy and want it to continue in the new school term, you’ll need to let us know.
Other support in your community
There may be other supports available in your local community. You can check what’s available by searching through the Family Services Directory. Some groups may be able to help with school items or costs for example. Other services include financial planning, childcare and finding a local food bank.