The rules
| Your situation | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Study full-time | You generally can't get Jobseeker Support, as you won't be available for full-time work. You may be able to get a Student Loan or Allowance through StudyLink instead. |
| Study part-time, full-time work obligations | You can usually keep Jobseeker Support if you stay available and are looking for full-time work (30+ hours a week). |
| Health condition, injury or disability (part-time obligations) | Your obligation is part-time work (15+ hours a week). Part-time study is OK if you can still meet that. |
| Can't work or only under 15 hours a week | Work preparation obligations. Part-time study is allowed if you can still meet them. |
| Sole Parent Support, youngest child 3 to 13 | Must be available for part-time work of 20+ hours a week. This may not apply if you were already studying when the obligation started or you study at NZQA Level 4 or higher, and you must pass at least half of your study. |
| Supported Living Payment | You can keep it while studying. Payment amounts won't change. |
Training Incentive Allowance (TIA)
TIA helps with tuition, books, childcare, equipment, transport and extra caring costs. To qualify you must receive Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment (caring for a person, or health condition, injury or disability), Young Parent Payment (sole parents only), Emergency Benefit or Emergency Maintenance Allowance (sole parents only), or Jobseeker Support (sole parents only) if you can meet your work obligations while studying. Other Jobseeker Support clients are not covered, so ask about Course Participation Assistance instead. The course must be funded by the TEC or Ministry of Education, run for 12 weeks or more, increase your employment skills, and be at Levels 1 to 7.
- Up to $143.08 a week of study, to a maximum of $5,723.20 in 52 weeks.
- Paid as weekly payments, upfront payments (for example, fees or a laptop), or both.
- Apply within 28 days of starting study. Your provider completes part of the form. Call 0800 559 009 to book.
- You must reapply each year or for a new course.
Courses under 12 weeks
Course Participation Assistance helps with enrolment fees, transport, childcare and essential items for short courses. Work and Income lists it as up to $1,000 over 52 weeks for people getting a benefit. Job and Training Support Funds can help with extra costs if you are disabled or have a health condition (interpreters, specialist gear, travel).
Traps to avoid
- Telling Work and Income about study after you start. Tell them before. Studying without telling them can lead to overpayments.
- Skipping job search because you are studying. Part-time students still have obligations.
- Using TIA for final-year fees and also claiming Fees Free. Work and Income says you cannot do both for fees.
- Dropping out without telling anyone. Tell both Work and Income and StudyLink straight away.
Phone script for Work and Income
Hi, I'm on Jobseeker Support and I'd like to start a [course name] at [provider] on [date]. It's [part-time / full-time] and runs for [x] weeks. Can I book an appointment to check how it affects my payments and whether I can get the Training Incentive Allowance or Course Participation Assistance?
Sources
- Work and Income: What happens to your benefit while you train or study (opens in a new tab)
- Work and Income: Training Incentive Allowance (opens in a new tab)
- Work and Income: Jobseeker Support (opens in a new tab)
- Work and Income: Paying for costs while you train or study (opens in a new tab)
General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.