What Do They Do?

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Work and Income offers financial assistance for people on low incomes or those not currently working. They can also help with urgent expenses, housing costs, and child-related expenses such as childcare, depending on your circumstances.

Check What You Might Get

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Work and Income offers an online tool called ‘Check what you might get’ to help you see what support you could be eligible for. It takes about five minutes. You can find it on the Work and Income website here.
 

‘Check what you might get’ summarises the payments you’re likely to qualify for and why, and also lists support you’re unlikely to get with reasons.

People with a physical and/or psychiatric illness can receive disability payments from Work and Income.

This is separate from Disability Support Services funded by Whaikaha, which don’t cover what they call personal health conditions. So even if you don’t qualify for Whaikaha support, you might still be eligible for help from Work and Income. You can read Work and Income’s definition of disability here.

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How to apply for assistance
Apply through the online portal MyMSD, over the phone, or in person at a Work and Income office. Contact details are available here.
 

Having someone act on your behalf
You may choose an agent to deal with Work and Income for you. Verbal consent may be accepted for a single meeting, or you can complete a form to appoint an agent for longer. More information is on Work and Income’s website  here or here.
 

If you disagree with a decision
You can ask for a Review of the Decision. Details of the process are available here.

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We have put together an easy guide on what you might be eligable for. This can be downloaded below.

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