There's no Cost of Living Payment in 2026.
The $350 payment from Inland Revenue was a one-off in 2022, and it has ended.
But with prices still rising, there's other support you may be able to get, from a temporary boost to the in-work tax credit to help with rent and one-off help for urgent costs. Here's what's available now and how to check what you're entitled to.
No 2026 payment: there's no Cost of Living Payment in 2026. IRD's $350 payment was paid in 2022, and no further payments can be made.
In-work tax credit boost: working families with children may get a temporary extra $50 a week, taking it to up to $147 a week, from 1 April 2026.
Benefit rates: these rose on 1 April 2026, in line with the cost of living. Jobseeker Support is $372.55 a week after tax for a single person aged 25 or over.
Help with rent or housing costs: the Accommodation Supplement. You don't have to be on a benefit to get it.
Urgent costs: Work and Income may be able to help with one-off costs, even if you're working.
Be wary of claims of a "new" cost of living payment. Check ird.govt.nz before clicking any link.
No. There's no Cost of Living Payment in 2026, and Inland Revenue has said no further payments can be made.
The payment was a one-off, introduced in Budget 2022 to help with the rising cost of living at the time.
|
The Cost of Living Payment (2022) |
Details |
|---|---|
|
How much |
Up to $350 in total |
|
When |
Three payments of about $116.67, on 1 August, 1 September and 3 October 2022 (later payments were made as a lump sum) |
|
Who got it |
People aged 18 or over, NZ tax resident and in NZ, with income of $70,000 or less in the 2021/22 tax year, and not getting the Winter Energy Payment |
|
Status now |
Ended. IRD stopped checking eligibility in 2023, and no payments can be made after 1 April 2024 |
Some websites and messages claim a new cost of living payment is coming. If you see one, check ird.govt.nz directly rather than clicking a link, and never give out your bank or IRD details in reply to a message.
Our security and scam safety page has more tips.
Instead of a one-off payment, support now comes through the tax and benefit system.
Here are the main options:
|
Support |
Who it's for |
How much |
Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|
|
In-work tax credit (temporary boost) |
Working families with dependent children, not on a main benefit |
Up to $147 a week (up $50 from $97) from 1 April 2026 |
|
|
Working for Families (Family Tax Credit, Best Start) |
Families with dependent children |
Depends on income and number of children |
|
|
Accommodation Supplement |
People with high rent, board or mortgage costs, including people who aren't on a benefit |
Depends on your costs, income and where you live |
|
|
Winter Energy Payment |
People getting a main benefit or NZ Super |
$20.46 a week (single), $31.82 (couple or with children), 1 May to 1 October |
|
|
Help with urgent costs |
People who can't cover an urgent, essential cost, including people in work |
Depends on the cost and your situation |
In response to rising costs, especially fuel, the government temporarily increased the in-work tax credit by $50 a week, from $97 to $147 for families who get the full amount. It runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, or until 91 petrol is below $3 a litre for four weeks in a row, whichever comes first.
If you already get the in-work tax credit, the increase is automatic.
If you're not registered for Working for Families, check your eligibility with Inland Revenue.
Benefit rates went up on 1 April 2026 through the yearly adjustment, which is linked to the cost of living.
Here are the main weekly rates:
|
Benefit (from 1 April 2026) |
Weekly, after tax (M code) |
Weekly, before tax |
|---|---|---|
|
Jobseeker Support, single, 25 or over |
$372.55 |
$426.12 |
|
Jobseeker Support, sole parent |
$521.52 |
$606.69 |
|
Supported Living Payment, single, 18 or over |
$424.60 |
$489.21 |
These are maximum rates.
Your actual payment depends on your income and situation. See Work and Income's full benefit rates for every category.
The Supported Living Payment is for people who can't regularly work full-time because of a health condition, injury or disability, or who care full-time for someone who would otherwise need hospital-level or residential care.
Work and Income assesses eligibility, usually with a medical certificate.
If you can't cover an urgent, essential cost, like a car repair to get to work, essential dental treatment, a broken fridge or an overdue power bill, Work and Income may be able to help, even if you're working.
Depending on your situation, this could be:
a Special Needs Grant, which usually doesn't have to be paid back;
a Recoverable Assistance Payment if you're not on a benefit, which is paid back over time;
an Advance Payment of Benefit if you are on a benefit, which is also paid back.
Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 or check urgent or unexpected costs on their website.
There's no single official cut-off. Each type of support has its own income limits, which depend on your household and, for some, where you live.
For context, the median weekly income from all sources in NZ was $962 in June 2026 (Stats NZ). The best way to find out is to check what you might be entitled to with Work and Income and Inland Revenue, because many working households qualify for something.
You don't have to work it out on your own, and these don't cost anything:
MoneyTalks: free, confidential budgeting advice on 0800 345 123.
Citizens Advice Bureau: free information about your rights and options.
Work and Income: help with urgent costs, and checking what you're entitled to.
Us: we're happy to help you work through a budget. Just get in touch.
For practical ways to stretch your money, see cost of living in NZ: what's changing and how to manage and our money saving tips.
If you're on a benefit, a loan may still be possible. What matters is that your income is regular and the repayments are affordable, now and down the track. You can also set up a redirection with Work and Income so your repayments come straight out of your benefit.
We won't let you get in over your head: we'll go through your budget with you to make sure any repayments fit.
No. The Inland Revenue Cost of Living Payment was a one-off $350 paid in 2022, and no further payments can be made. Support in 2026 includes a temporary $50 a week boost to the in-work tax credit for working families, and higher benefit rates from 1 April.
In three payments of about $116.67 on 1 August, 1 September and 3 October 2022, with later payments made as a lump sum. Inland Revenue can't make any further payments after 1 April 2024.
Possibly, even if you're working. Work and Income may help with urgent, essential costs through a Special Needs Grant, a Recoverable Assistance Payment, or an Advance Payment of Benefit if you're on a benefit. Some of these need to be paid back.
People who can't regularly work full-time because of a health condition, injury or disability, or who care full-time for someone who would otherwise need hospital-level or residential care. From 1 April 2026, it's $424.60 a week after tax for a single person aged 18 or over.
No. The Accommodation Supplement can help with rent, board or mortgage costs whether or not you're on a benefit. The amount depends on your housing costs, income and where you live.
From 1 April 2026, Jobseeker Support is up to $372.55 a week after tax for a single person aged 25 or over, and up to $521.52 for a sole parent. Your payment depends on your income and situation.
