Covid-19 | Income relief payment
As anticipated the financial fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic is continuing and more New Zealanders are losing their jobs.
However, the Government has provided further support for people who become unemployed and Debtfix has complied everything you need to know about eligibility for the Covid-19 income relief payment and how to access it.
The income relief payment at a glance:
It is for those who lose their jobs or income between 1 March 2020 and 30 October 2020 due to the impacts of Covid-19, who were working at least 15 hours a week for 12 weeks or more
Payment of $490 a week if you worked full time
Payment of $250 a week if you worked part time
You cannot get the income relief payment if you are on a main benefit*
You cannot get the income relief payment at the same time as the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy
What is the income relief payment?
The income relief payment is designed to help with living costs while you look for other work. It is paid for up to 12 weeks to New Zealanders who lose their jobs between 1 March 2020 and 30 October 2020 due to the impacts of Covid-19.
It is also available to self-employed New Zealanders whose business is no longer viable due to Covid-19.
The amounts are as follows:
$490 per week if you were previously working 30 hours or more a week
$250 per week if you were previously working 15 hours to 29 hours a week
While you are receiving the income relief, you should be looking for work, accept suitable job offers, or accept opportunities for redeployment or training.
If your circumstances change while you are receiving the payment, for example, you find work, your partner earns more than $2,000 before tax a week, you receive paid parental leave, etc you are obligated to let Work and Income know.
Further information
For the full breakdown of who is eligible for the income relief payment, please see the Work and Income website.
The Work and Income website has a comparison table so you can see if you’re better off with the income relief payment or a benefit.
*Main benefits include: Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, Youth Payment, Young Parent Payment, Emergency Benefit.
How to apply
To apply, you will need:
Your IRD number
Proof of your bank account
A form of ID (e.g. passport, birth certificate)