Jobseeker Support · New Zealand
Are you 18 or 19? Jobseeker Support rules are changing
From 2 November 2026, some young people applying or reapplying for Jobseeker Support may have their parents' financial circumstances considered.
The Parental Assistance Test is separate from the rest of Jobseeker Support eligibility. This page helps you see whether it may matter for your timing and situation.
If you already receive Jobseeker Support, your payment does not automatically stop on 2 November. The Parental Assistance Test is more likely to matter when you apply or reapply, including at the usual 26-week reapplication.
Your personal check
One question at a time. Skip anything that is not safe to answer. Work and Income makes the final decision.
What is changing (three essentials)
- From 2 November 2026, some 18- and 19-year-olds (and a small partnered 16-17 group) may need a Parental Assistance Test when they apply or reapply.
- The test looks at parental income (combined pre-tax income at or below $67,225 on current official guidance) and/or whether relying on parents is not reasonable.
- Work and Income makes the final decision. MyEligible helps you see what to check next without entering private family details.
If you already receive Jobseeker Support, the new rules do not automatically apply to everyone on 2 November. Application and reapplication timing matters.
What can show a parental support gap
From 2 November 2026, a ministerial direction sets out evidence Work and Income can consider for a parental support gap under the parental income requirement. MSD decides whether the evidence is enough.
One kind of evidence is a document from an official source. That can include a public service, the New Zealand Police, a court, a health practitioner, a lawyer, or a funeral director. Examples in the direction include a death certificate, a birth certificate, a court order, a coroner's finding, a police report or safety order, a medical certificate, or written confirmation of a parent's death.
Another kind is a supporting statement from a suitable person who is not an immediate family member, is at least 20, and is willing to be contacted by MSD. That person is a registered practising professional in health, education, justice, or social services, with a current practising certificate. Examples include a health practitioner, a teacher, a lawyer, a counsellor, or a social worker. A contracted Youth Payment or Young Parent Payment provider can provide a statement when someone is transferring from one of those payments. If reasonable steps to reach a professional have not worked, MSD can nominate a third party.
For this direction, immediate family means a parent, a spouse or partner, a spouse or partner's parent, a grandparent, a sibling, or a foster, step, whāngai, or former immediate family member.
The direction does not apply to a gap that was already determined under section 23G(2). If you are unsure which evidence fits your situation, call Work and Income on 0800 559 009.
What if I can't get Jobseeker Support?
You may still be able to get help with:
- Housing or accommodation costs
- Urgent or unexpected costs
- Disability or health-related costs
- Education or training
- Finding work
- Other financial support
Frequently asked questions
Do the new Jobseeker rules affect every 18- or 19-year-old?
No. The parental income requirement applies to specified young people in the age group covered by the Act. Other Jobseeker eligibility rules still apply, and some people are excluded because of dependent children or certain allowances.
What if I already get Jobseeker Support?
Your payment does not automatically change on 2 November 2026. The new rules are more likely to matter when you apply or reapply on or after that date, or when your grant or regrant timing meets the transitional rules.
What if I don't live with my parents?
Living separately does not automatically mean you are outside the test. Work and Income looks at whether you can reasonably rely on your parents for financial support, not only where you live.
What if my parents won't support me?
Unwillingness to help is not always the same as being unable to reasonably rely on parents under the law. There is a separate pathway where reliance is not reasonable because of your circumstances. Work and Income must assess this.
What if my family situation is unsafe?
You do not need to enter private family details into MyEligible. If you cannot safely answer questions about your parents, or your situation may mean you cannot reasonably rely on them, speak with Work and Income. MyEligible can flag that agency assessment may be needed but cannot decide sensitive cases for you.
What if I have a child?
If you have a dependent child and your benefit situation meets the statutory exclusions, you may not need to meet the parental income requirement. The checker can help you see whether this may apply.
What if my parents earn too much?
Work and Income's September 2026 update states a combined parental pre-tax income limit of $67,225 for the Parental Assistance Test, aligned to the Supported Living Payment couple cut-out and adjusted over time. Above that limit, the income route may not apply, but a support gap pathway may still be assessed in some circumstances.
What evidence can show a parental support gap?
From 2 November 2026, the ministerial direction describes two kinds of evidence: a document from an official source, such as a court, the Police, a health practitioner, a lawyer, or a funeral director, or a supporting statement from a suitable person who is not immediate family. MSD decides whether that evidence is enough. Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 if you are unsure.
When do the new Jobseeker Support rules start?
Part 1 of the Amendment Act commences on 2 November 2026. Relevant applications and reapplications on or after this date may need to meet the parental income requirement, unless an exclusion or inability-to-rely pathway applies.
How the change works
The law is enacted. Part 1 is not yet in force. This section explains the policy detail for trust and accuracy.
What is changing?
The Amendment Act introduces a parental income requirement for some specified young people. Work and Income may assess two broad routes: your parents' income, or whether you cannot reasonably rely on your parents because of your circumstances.
Your parents' income
Where the statutory test applies, parental income may affect whether you can receive Jobseeker Support or the equivalent Emergency Benefit. The income threshold is set in regulations and may be adjusted over time.
You cannot reasonably rely on your parents
There is also a pathway where financial reliance on parents is not reasonable because of your circumstances. Official policy examples can include family breakdown, a parent being in prison, or a parent in long-term hospital care. This list is not exhaustive.
Who may have to do the test?
- 18- and 19-year-olds applying or reapplying for Jobseeker Support or the equivalent Emergency Benefit, where they are a specified young person under the Act.
- Partnered young people where you are the primary applicant or included in a partner's benefit, depending on your situation.
- Some 16- and 17-year-olds who are partnered and their partner is aged 18 or older may also be in scope when they meet the specified young person definition.
Who may not have to do it?
The Act sets out exclusions. Where they apply, the parental income requirement does not apply. Examples include:
- You are a dependent child included in another person's benefit.
- Your benefit rate includes dependent children.
- You receive an Orphan's Benefit, Unsupported Child's Benefit, or Foster Care Allowance for a child.
Official sources
Core legal claims below are tied to first-party sources. Last verified dates come from the PAT source manifest.
- Official source
Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Act 2026
New Zealand Legislation
Last verified 16 September 2026. Royal Assent 2 September 2026. Part 1 commences 2 November 2026.
- Official source
Parental Assistance Test update (16 September 2026)
Work and Income
Last verified 16 September 2026. Includes $67,225 combined parental income limit and reapplication timing.
- Official source
Jobseeker Support
Work and Income
Last verified 16 September 2026. Check current public guidance alongside the enacted Act.
- Official source
Ministerial direction: parental support gap for the parental income requirement
Ministry of Social Development
Last verified 12 October 2026. In force from 2 November 2026. Sets out evidence that can show a parental support gap.
- Official source
Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill - approval for introduction
Ministry of Social Development
Last verified 16 September 2026. Policy background. Legislation is now enacted.