Apply online

This is a 9-digit number we issue you the first time you deal with us. This could be through Work and Income, StudyLink, Seniors or Youth Service.

You'll need this anytime you contact us.

MyMSD is our online service where you can apply and manage your information online.

If you have not used MyMSD before, you'll need to register first. 

If you can't use MyMSD

Call us and we'll talk with you about the best way for you to apply.

In most cases we'll need you to come in for a face-to-face appointment. However, there may be times we'll be able to support you over the phone.

In MyMSD, select 'Apply' to go to the online form. Some of your information will be automatically pre-filled, based off information you've already told us.

The online form takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. It'll automatically work out what you might be able to get based on your answers.

Information you need

You'll need to provide information about you and your family, including:

• all income details for the last 52 weeks (for example wages, ACC, child support, dividends, rentals etc)
• anything that could earn you money in the next 52 weeks (for example rental income, dividends, ACC, child support, overseas payments)
• your expenses (for example housing, childcare, medical costs and hire purchase)
• IRD numbers (you can find this in letters from IRD or your payslips. If you can't find it or don't have one, go to the Inland Revenue website)
• bank account details
• a phone number we can contact you on.

If you or your partner were not born in New Zealand, you'll need to tell us your or their:

• country of birth and the date left
• date arrived in New Zealand
• date citizenship or permanent residence was granted.

Saving your answers

• Your answers are saved as you go.
• You can save a partly completed form and come back to it later.

If the application times out

• If you stay on the same page for more than 5 minutes you'll be logged out.
• When you log in to return to your form you'll start from your last completed page.

MyMSD has a list of steps you need to complete once you submit your application. If you can't complete any of the steps or have a question, talk to us.

Next steps are:

• complete a Jobseeker profile (if you've applied for certain benefits)
• read and agree to your obligations
• provide your documents (you can upload them in MyMSD)
• verify your identity
• book an appointment

Complete a Jobseeker profile

You must complete a Jobseeker profile if you've applied for:

• Jobseeker Support
• Sole Parent Support, or
• Emergency Benefit (including Emergency Maintenance Allowance) and you're required to find work.

You can do this in MyMSD. You'll need to give us information about your work skills, qualifications and the type of work you're looking for. This will help us match you to job vacancies or refer you to courses or training.

Jobseeker profile

Read and agree to your obligations

Your obligations are things you need to do when you get a benefit or payment from us. If you don't do them, your payments could reduce or stop.

If you don't understand your obligations, or want to talk to us about them, we can discuss these during the appointment you book with us as part of your next steps.

Provide your documents

MyMSD will tell you what documents you need to provide for yourself and your partner (if you have one).

You can upload these documents in MyMSD. If you can't use MyMSD, you can bring it to the appointment you book with us as part of your next steps, or just drop it into a service centre. We'll make a copy and add it to your file.

If you need to provide a medical certificate, your health practitioner may send it to us electronically. Make sure they include your client number on the certificate.

Verify your identity

If this is your first time applying for a benefit or ongoing payment, you can verify your identity online using Identity Check. Follow the steps in MyMSD to do this.

If you can't use Identity Check, you need to bring your ID into a service centre. You can bring it to the appointment you book with us as part of your next steps, or just drop it in to a service centre.

Book an appointment

Call us to book. In most cases you'll need to come in for a face-to-face appointment. However, there may be times we'll be able to support you over the phone.

We'll let you know by phone or letter once we've processed your application.

If you disagree with our decision, you can ask for a review of decision.

MyMSD will tell you when your payments will start.

Most weekly benefits have a stand-down. This is a period of time when you can't get any money from us. It's usually 1 or 2 weeks after your application is approved.

Your payments will start from the date after your stand-down finishes. If you've been working recently, your payments may take longer to start.

Once your payments start, you won't get any money in the first week. This is because we pay you for the week that's just been. This is called arrears.