What to provide when you apply for a benefit

When you submit your application form online we issue you an application number. Make a note of this.

We need your identity documents if we haven’t seen them before or we haven’t got a copy of these on your file.

You can do this by either:

• online using Identity Check, or
• bringing your ID into a service centre.

If you can’t provide identity documents, talk to us about ways we can help.

Your partner needs to provide their identity documents as well. They can only do this by bringing their ID into a service centre. They can’t use Identity Check.

Identity documents you need

You need to provide 2 of the following documents that show your full legal name and date of birth.

Documents must be current, or up to 2 years expired.

If you were born in New Zealand

Examples of government-issued ID include:

• NZ birth certificate (apply online for a birth certificate)
• NZ passport
• NZ driver licence which is either a:
  
  • photo licence
  • temporary paper driver licence
• Firearms licence
• Steps to Freedom release form
• Oranga Tamariki issued Custody Order.

If you're born overseas

As well as ID that proves who you are, we also need proof that you have the right to live in New Zealand. Examples include:

• New Zealand passport
• Passport from another country (current or up to 6 months expired) showing your residence class visa or permit
• Citizenship certificate
• NZ Refugee Travel document
• If you're from Australia, either your Australian:
  
  • passport
  • birth certificate
  • proof of residence
• If you're from Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue, either:
  • birth certificate
  • letter of confirmation
  • certificate of registration
  • certificate of naturalisation
• Letter of confirmation of your residence class visa or permit from Immigration New Zealand.

If you can't provide 2 types of ID

If you can't provide 2 types of government-issued ID (listed above), you'll need to provide 1 government-issued ID and 1 other document that proves your identity.

Examples:

• education organisation documents
• letter from Inland Revenue
• marriage certificate
• Kiwi Access card (18+).

Other documents that prove your identity, but should be less than 6 months old:

• bank document
• document from a health practitioner
• employment letter or payslip
• power account document
• rates notice
• telecommunications account
• tenancy agreement
• insurance document
• letter from a prominent community member.

This table tells you what you'll need to provide to support your application

Confirm your:	Provide:
Bank account	Bank statement, or deposit slip screenshot of your online banking (showing your name, account number and the bank's logo).
Income and assets	Evidence of any before-tax income for the last 52 weeks from: wages holiday pay business accounts trust documents any other income assets and their values.
Dependent children	Full birth certificates for all children in your care. Details of any childcare you pay. Any other documents relating to the child, including: copies of Family Group Conference outcomes Court orders Court approved plans.
Outgoings (including housing costs)	Details of: your rent, mortgage or other accommodation costs hire purchase you're currently paying other regular outgoings (eg because of a disability or health condition).

If you've just left school you'll also need to bring your school leaving certificate.

There is additional information you need to provide, depending on what you may be eligible for.

Benefit	You'll need
Jobseeker Support	current CV, or details of your work qualifications (for example, training certificates and references from employers) your health practitioner to send us a medical certificate (make sure they put your client number on it if you have one) a completed Self-Assessment questionnaire if you have a health condition, injury or disability that stops you working full-time.
Supported Living Payment	your health practitioner to send us a medical certificate (make sure they put your client number on it if you have one) a completed Self-Assessment questionnaire existing reports or assessments (for example, a Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) or a report from a specialist).
Disability Allowance	evidence of health related costs a Disability Allowance medical certificate for each person you apply for.
Childcare assistance	evidence of your work, course, study and number of hours (for example, a letter from an employer, an employment contract or a confirmation of study) have the following form completed by your childcare service or OSCAR programme supervisor.