Reapplication process for clients aged 65 or older

Clients aged 65 years or older who do not qualify for New Zealand Superannuation may get Jobseeker Support if they meet all of the qualifications.

As part of the reapplication process, MSD will discuss with the client about how they are preparing for or looking for employment, for example:

• what steps have they taken to obtain suitable employment
• have they attended any interviews
• what planning for employment have they undertaken

For more information see:

• 52 week reapplication process for clients whose benefit commenced before 1 July 2025
• Specific employment engagement
• Employment part of the 26 week reapplication

If the client advises they are willing and available for work, but the likelihood of them gaining employment is low, MSD may consider whether it is appropriate for them to continue getting Jobseeker Support on the ground of being available for full-time work.

To make this decision, MSD will consider the client's situation, including (but not limited to):

• their family circumstances e.g. caring responsibilities
• their job search efforts and the outcome from this
• the local labour market conditions
• their skills and qualifications
• their health and any disabilities they may have.

Consider whether the client is eligible for a deferral from their work obligations or qualifies for another main benefit, such as Supported Living Payment.

If the client does not qualify for Jobseeker Support or any other benefit, Emergency Benefit may be considered in substitution of Jobseeker Support.

The client will need to meet all of the qualifications for Emergency Benefit including the hardship test. This must be decided on a case-by-case basis, taking the client's full circumstances into consideration.

For more information see:

• Emergency Benefit Clients aged 65 years or over
• Emergency Benefit Client in hardship

If the client has a partner, the partner should also be assessed to see if they meet the qualifications for a benefit. If the partner qualifies for a benefit, this should be granted with the client included instead of considering Emergency Benefit.

Note that Emergency Benefit may still be considered for the client if the benefit their partner qualifies for is Supported Living Payment on the ground of caring. This is because the client cannot be included in that benefit, there is no couple rate of payment