What to provide when you apply for a benefit

When you apply for a benefit or other help from us, you need to prove who you are and that what you've told us is true.

Information

You must provide original government-issued identity documents. We cannot accept copies, including certified copies.

When you apply, you'll need to provide the documents detailed below. If you are unable to provide these documents online, you can bring them into a service centre. We'll make a copy and add it to your file or application.

Find a service centre

Any delay in providing these documents could result in a delay in paying you, or your application being cancelled.

What you need to provide:

When you submit your application form online we issue you an application number. Make a note of this.

Information

If you have a partner they'll also have to provide these documents as well.

You need to provide 2 government-issued identity documents (ID). If you don't have 2, you can provide 1 government-issued ID and 1 other document that proves your identity.

If you’ve had a benefit before and have already provided government-issued ID (that's current or no more than 2 years expired), you don’t need to do this again.

If this is your first time applying for a benefit or ongoing payment, you need to bring your original government-issued identity (ID) document into a service centre so we can check it. Checking ID in person helps us make sure we give support to the right person and protect your identity. Find out more here.

Government issued ID

You need to provide 2 of the following that shows your full legal name and date of birth.

Documents must be current, or up to 2 years expired.

Born in New Zealand Born overseas
  • NZ passport
  • Driver licence
  • Firearms licence
  • Steps to Freedom release form
  • CYF or Oranga Tamariki issued custody order
  • NZ birth certificate (order a birth certificate online)
  • New Zealand passport
  • Australian passport
  • Passport from another country (current or up to 6 months expired) showing your residence class visa or permit
  • Citizenship certificate
  • NZ Refugee Travel Document
  • Letter of confirmation of your residence class visa or permit from Immigration New Zealand

If your name on your Government issued ID has changed, you'll also need to provide either:

You must advise us of any previous name(s) you've had.

Other documents that prove your identity

If you can't provide 2 types of Government issued ID, you'll need to provide one Government issued ID and one of the following:

  • bank document
  • a document from a health practitioner
  • education organisation documents
  • employment letter/payslips
  • Inland Revenue letter
  • insurance documents
  • letter from prominent community member
  • power account
  • rates notice
  • telecommunications account
  • tenancy agreement
  • Kiwi Access card (18+).

Non-government issued documents that prove your identity must be no more than six months old.

Proof of residence

This table tells you what you'll need to provide to support your application

Confirm your: Provide:
Bank account
  • Bank statement, or
  • deposit slip
  • screenshot of your online banking (showing your name, account number and the bank's logo).
Income and assets

Evidence of any before-tax income for the last 52 weeks from:

  • wages
  • holiday pay
  • business accounts
  • trust documents
  • any other income
  • assets and their values.
Dependent children
  • Full birth certificates for all children in your care.
  • Details of any childcare you pay.
  • Any other documents relating to the child, including:
    • copies of Family Group Conference outcomes
    • Court orders
    • Court approved plans.
Outgoings (including housing costs)

Details of:

  • your rent, mortgage or other accommodation costs
  • hire purchase you're currently paying
  • other regular outgoings (eg because of a disability or health condition).

If you've just left school you'll also need to bring your school leaving certificate.

There is additional information you need to provide, depending on what you may be eligible for.

Benefit You'll need
Jobseeker Support
  • current CV, or
  • details of your work qualifications (for example, training certificates and references from employers)
  • your health practitioner to send us a medical certificate (make sure they put your client number on it if you have one)
  • a completed Self-Assessment questionnaire if you have a health condition, injury or disability that stops you working full-time.
Supported Living Payment
  • your health practitioner to send us a medical certificate (make sure they put your client number on it if you have one)
  • a completed Self-Assessment questionnaire
  • existing reports or assessments (for example, a Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) or a report from a specialist).
Disability Allowance
Childcare assistance
  • evidence of your work, course, study and number of hours (for example, a letter from an employer, an employment contract or a confirmation of study)
  • have the following form completed by your childcare service or OSCAR programme supervisor.
linksChildcare and OSCAR subsidy application (PDF 699.75KB)

Related

Order a Birth or Marriage Certificate online

Contact

Contact us if you don't have any of the documents, have given them to us recently or if there might be a delay in getting them.