From 2 November 2026, some rangatahi will face an extra test when applying for Jobseeker Support.
Eligibility will depend on their parents’ income and whether they can reasonably rely on them for financial support. For whānau already stretched by everyday costs, this could mean more pressure on the household budget.
Here’s what’s changing, who may be affected, and where to get help.
What’s changing?
Jobseeker Support is a weekly payment for people looking for work, or who are unable to work full-time due to their circumstances.
From 2 November, young people covered by the changes will also need to meet a new Parental Assistance Test to qualify for Jobseeker Support or the equivalent Emergency Benefit.
Alongside the usual eligibility criteria, the test considers:
- whether they can reasonably be expected to rely on their parents for financial support
- their parents’ combined income before tax, with a limit of $67,225 a year.
If their parents’ assessed income is above the limit and no parental support gap applies, they will not qualify for these payments.
A parental support gap means MSD has accepted that it is not reasonable for the young person to rely on a parent for financial support. Work and Income gives examples such as family breakdown, a parent being in prison or long-term hospital care.
Family circumstances differ. If you are unsure whose income counts or whether a parental support gap applies, ask Work and Income to assess your situation.
Who needs to complete the test?
The changes apply to 18- and 19-year-olds, some 16- and 17-year-olds, and partners under 20 covered by the requirements.
Young people with dependent children, or who receive Foster Care Allowance for a child in their care, will not need to complete the test.
What if you already receive Jobseeker Support?
Your payment will not automatically stop on 2 November.
For existing recipients covered by the changes, the test will apply at their next 26-week reapplication from 2 November 2026.
If they do not meet the new requirements at that point, their Jobseeker Support will stop.
Why does it matter?
Income and housing are health issues. Having enough money and a warm, stable home is one of the strongest foundations for good health.
Research into Māori household experiences of food insecurity highlights the pressures whānau face when trying to cover kai and other essential expenses. [1]
Whānau Māori are already under pressure. Māori unemployment was 10.8% in the year to March 2026. [2] Across all rangatahi aged 15 to 24, 13.6% weren’t in employment, education or training. [3]
We are concerned that the new Parental Assistance Test will place more pressure on households already struggling to make ends meet. A combined income of $67,225 is what two parents would earn working full-time at just over $16 an hour.
To put the threshold in context, two parents each working 40 hours a week at the adult minimum wage of $23.95 an hour would earn a combined $99,632 a year before tax, assuming they work those hours for 52 weeks. That is $32,407 above the income limit.
Unless that young person can show they can’t rely on their parents, they’d be expected to be supported by them.
In a struggling economy and scarce job market, we think this policy is unfair.
Our concerns
It pushes more costs onto whānau
A combined income of $67,225 doesn’t stretch far when whānau are supporting several people.
Parental income alone does not show what a household can afford after rent, power, kai and other essential costs.
Rangatahi need opportunities to work
The job market is weak. How can we expect rangatahi to support themselves when there aren’t enough jobs? Losing a payment does not remove the barriers young people may face in getting into employment, training or study.
Rangatahi with health conditions and disabilities may also be affected
Having a health condition or disability does not automatically exempt a young person receiving Jobseeker Support from the new test.
We are concerned about the additional pressure this could place on those rangatahi and their whānau.
Risk of greater hardship
Several community organisations told Parliament that tightening eligibility will likely increase hardship for young people and families already struggling. [4] [5]
Our position
Hāpai Te Hauora does not support these changes.
Income support is a safety net that protects the health and wellbeing of whānau. It should not be made harder to reach.
Jobs are scarce and living costs are high. The government shouldn’t add to those burdens by placing more obstacles in front of whānau looking for help.
What can you do?
If you or your whānau might be affected:
- Check your situation with Work and Income on 0800 559 009 or at workandincome.govt.nz.
- Ask whether the test applies to you, when your next reapplication is and what information you need to provide.
- If you cannot reasonably rely on your parents for financial support, ask about the parental support gap criteria.
- If your Jobseeker Support stops, ask about other financial assistance and support with training, education or work.
Work and Income says supplementary and hardship assistance, and help into training, education or work, may still be available to young people who cannot receive the benefit.
Help whānau prepare
Let rangatahi and whānau know about the changes so they have time to check their circumstances.
The new requirements begin on 2 November 2026. For existing recipients, the timing depends on their next reapplication.
Share this information around. The more people know, the better prepared they can be.
Have your say
Enrolling and voting is one way to have a say on decisions that affect whānau. You can also raise your concerns with MPs and support organisations advocating on these issues.
References
- Beavis, B. S., McKerchar, C., Maaka, J., & Mainvil, L. A. (2018). Exploration of Māori household experiences of food insecurity. Nutrition & Dietetics, 76(3), 344–352. https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12477
- Regional Economic Profile: Māori Unemployment. (2026, March). Infometrics. https://regions.infometrics.co.nz/new-zealand/ethnicity/labour-market/unemployment?ethnicity=maori
- Stats NZ Household Labour Force Survey. (2026, March). Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment. https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/31991-labour-market-statistics-snapshot-march-2026
- Jobseeker changes will squeeze households further – University of Auckland. (2025, October 10). University of Auckland. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/10/10/jobseeker-changes-will-squeeze-households-further.html
- Submission: Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill — Child Poverty Action Group. (2026, August 3). Child Poverty Action Group. https://www.cpag.org.nz/research/submission-social-security-jobseeker-support-and-accommodation-supplement-amendment-bill