Income change

Clients must advise MSD of any change in circumstances that affects their entitlement or rate of benefit payable, such as when they receive or earn income.

Any income a Jobseeker Support client or their partner (if any) receives must be charged against the benefit for the period in which the income was earned or represents.

If income does not represent a specific period or if MSD cannot determine the actual period it represents, MSD must determine the most appropriate period to charge the income. This may be the week it is received, provided or supplied.

When a client or their partner (if any) declares a change in income, MSD must check that they still qualify for Jobseeker Support. and reassess any Extra help they get.

Sole parent and grandparented Jobseeker Support clients whose benefit commenced (or last commenced) before 1 July 2025 can have their income charged annually, until they reach their next 52 week expiry date. This is a transitional arrangement.

When a sole parent or grandparented client with annual income charging declares a change in income, their income should be updated from the first available date.

These clients move to weekly income charging and the 26 week expiry and reapplication cycle when they complete their final 52 week reapplication, and their Jobseeker Support is regranted.

Note by 30 June 2026 all sole parent and grandparented Jobseeker Support clients will have moved to weekly income charging. This means that when they declare a change in their income, it will be charged for the period it represents.

When adding income to a client's record MSD should check that there is enough benefit to cover any deductions or redirections. Any deductions or redirections may need to be reduced depending on the amount of benefit payable.

For more information see:

• Redirection of benefit payment