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How to apply for COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme

Apply for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme (used to be 'COVID-19 Essential Workers Leave Support) using our online application form.

This payment used to be called 'COVID-19 Essential Workers Leave Support' because it was only available to essential businesses. It's now called 'COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme' because it's available for all employers returning to work who meet the criteria.

Criteria for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme

Important information

We also have a COVID-19 Wage Subsidy available to employers. You can't receive both COVID-19 payments for the same employee at the same time.

Already applied

If you've already applied for this payment and you're applying again for the same employee, you need to follow the process on the 'Re-apply' page. You can re-apply in the 4th week of the payment period.

If you applied when it was 'Essential Workers Leave Support', you can follow the same process on the 'Re-apply' page.

Re-apply for COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme

Fill out the online form

What online form you fill out depends on whether you have people working for you or not.

You'll be asked to declare you meet the criteria and agree to the obligations for the use of the payment. All payments will be subject to audits and reviews.

Declaration for COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme

  • You have people working for you

    Important information

    Please make sure the details you provide match those held by Inland Revenue.

    Differences will slow down your application and may result in it being declined.

    When you apply you will need to give us your:

    • business IRD number (this could include your partnership IRD number or company IRD number
    • IR customer name (this is the name that's linked to your business IRD number)
    • New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) if you have one
    • business address
    • your contact name, email address and mobile number
    • bank account number
    • your employee details (include full-time and part-time employees in the same application):
      • names
      • dates of birth
      • IRD numbers
      • employment types (whether they're working less than 20 hours, or 20 hours or more).
    Start Application
    linksPrivacy information for employees (PDF 72.16KB)

  • You don't have people working for you

    This means you're only applying for yourself.

    Important information

    Please make sure the details you provide match those held by Inland Revenue.

    Differences will slow down your application and may result in it being declined.

    When you apply you will need to give us your:

    • business IRD number (this is your personal IRD number)
    • employment type (whether you're working less than 20 hours, or 20 hours or more)
    • IR customer name (this is your name, not your trade name)
    • business address
    • contact name, email address and mobile number
    • bank account number.
    Start Application

  • If you're a large employer

    If you're a large employer (eg 100 employees or more), the online application form may be hard for you to use.

    Follow the instructions on our 'Applications for large employers' page to make your application.

    Applications for large employers

  • If you're a state sector organisation

    A state sector organisation, with its monitoring agency, can ask for an exception to become eligible to apply for the Leave Support Scheme. State sector organisations should contact their monitoring agency if they wish to discuss this.

  • If you've made a mistake on your application

    You can call us on 0800 40 80 40 and we'll fix it for you.

    You don't need to submit another application.

linksRelated links

Payment rates and processing times for COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
Paying your staff the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
Your obligations COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
Repaying the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
Re-apply for COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme