Granting Emergency Benefit on grounds of hardship (65 years or over)

Before granting Emergency Benefit for a client 65 years or over who is not residentially qualified for New Zealand Superannuation MSD needs to determine the equivalent benefit by looking at the reason the client is unable to earn sufficient livelihood such as:

• disability
• language
• skill barriers
• age

Generally, if the client is unable to earn sufficient livelihood because they are unable to get a job, the equivalent benefit would be Jobseeker Support.

If a client is not available for or seeking full-time employment they do not qualify for Jobseeker Support, except when they have limited work capacity because of a health condition, injury or disability.

Note MSD cannot pay Emergency Benefit at the equivalent rate of New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension.

If a client 65 years or over is getting Jobseeker Support they can remain on it provided they meet all the qualifications, their obligations and the 26 week reapplication process.

Generally, the client will no longer qualify for Jobseeker Support if they inform MSD they are:

• unable to seek full time employment or
• it is unreasonable or unrealistic to expect them to seek full time employment

If the client does not qualify for another benefit such as Sole Parent Support or Supported Living Payment, consider their eligibility for Emergency Benefit. The client will need to meet all of the qualifications for Emergency Benefit including the hardship test.

For more information see:

• Equivalent benefit
• Example of equivalent benefit
• Determining the reason for insufficient livelihood
• Conditions of grant
• Work or work preparation obligations - partners
• Partners 65 years and over
• Not eligible for another benefit