Young people aged 18 and 19 now have to pass a Parental Assistance Test to get Jobseeker Support or the equivalent Emergency Benefit, Work and Income says. The rule took effect on Monday 2 November.
Under the test, a young person can only get the benefit if their parents' combined income before tax is at or below $67,225, or if they cannot reasonably be expected to rely on their parents for support. They still have to meet the usual Jobseeker criteria as well.
RNZ reported that in October last year the government estimated about 4300 young people would lose eligibility because of the change.
How did this happen?
The Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill passed its final reading in Parliament on 25 August 2026, according to Work and Income.
Work and Income says the change generally means that if young people are not learning or earning, their parents are expected to support them.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston said earlier the law "reinforces the expectation that young people who are not in employment, education or training should be financially supported by their parents, not by taxpayers through the welfare system", RNZ reported.
Who has to do the test?
From 2 November, Work and Income says the test applies to:
- young people aged 18 or 19
- a small number of 16 and 17-year-olds
- partners aged under 20, who also need to meet the test criteria
The exceptions
There are two ways through the test.
The first is income. If the parents' combined total income before tax is $67,225 or less, the young person can qualify.
The second is if they cannot reasonably be expected to rely on their parents. Work and Income gives examples such as a parent being in long-term hospital care, a parent being in prison, or a family breakdown.
Some young people don't have to do the test at all. Work and Income says that includes those who have dependent children, or who are getting Foster Care Allowance for a child in their care.
Already on Jobseeker?
Young people already getting Jobseeker Support will keep getting their payments for now, Work and Income says. The test kicks in when they reapply at their 26-week reapplication. If they don't meet the criteria at that point, their Jobseeker Support will stop.
What help is still available?
Work and Income says young people who cannot get a benefit can still apply for supplementary and hardship assistance payments. It may also be able to help them into training, education or work.
The student summer problem
Beneficiary advocate Kay Brereton told RNZ's Checkpoint the $67,225 cut-off was "outrageously low", pointing out that families on that income with a 17-year-old would still get a family tax credit.
She compared it with the student allowance, where the cut-off is a combined parental income of $131,670 for students living at home, or $141,451 for those living away from their parents, RNZ reported.
Brereton said she was worried about university students who look for holiday work over summer and don't find it. Until now, many could fall back on Jobseeker Student Hardship. "They're living out there in flats, wherever the university is, and they're going to have no benefit to fall back on," she said. She said some might have to move home or pause their study.
RNZ noted unemployment is at an 11-year high of 5.6 percent, and unemployment among 15 to 19-year-olds is 25.3 percent.
What families should check
If you have a child turning 18 or already 18 or 19 and not working or studying, the rule means your household income now matters for their benefit. A few things to look at:
- Your combined income as parents, before tax. The limit is $67,225.
- Whether any of the circumstances Work and Income lists, such as family breakdown, apply.
- If your child is already on Jobseeker, when their 26-week reapplication is due.
- Whether hardship assistance or Work and Income's training and job support could help instead.
Work and Income's Jobseeker Support page has the full criteria, and its contact centre can talk through individual situations.