COVID-19 Income Relief Payment

The COVID-19 Income Relief Payment was a temporary, short-term payment for people who lost their jobs from 1 March 2020 to 30 October 2020 because of COVID-19. Applications were open from 8 June 2020 to 14 November 2020.

The information on this page is a summary of the key details about this payment. Detailed information can be found in the declarations at the bottom of this page.

Who could get it

The COVID-19 Income Relief Payment was up to 12 weeks of payments.

It was available for people who:

  • lost their jobs due to COVID-19
  • normally worked 15 hours or more a week (for 12 weeks or more)
  • were normally living in New Zealand when they lost their job
  • were a New Zealand citizen or a resident with a residence class visa
  • were 18 years old or over, or a financially independent 16- or 17-year-old.

A person’s partner could also qualify if they met the criteria and earned less than $2,000 in wages or salary each week, before tax.

Payment rates

The COVID-19 Income Relief Payment was paid for up to 12 weeks. It stopped after 12 weeks, or if the person no longer qualified.

The payment was paid at either:

  • $490 a week for people previously working 30 hours or more a week
  • $250 a week for people previously working 15 hours to 29 hours a week.

Tax did not have to be paid on this payment.

Declarations

The declarations contain the full eligibility criteria, obligations and repayment responsibilities for the COVID-19 Income Relief Payment, for recipients and their partners.

Applicant declaration for Income Relief Payment
Partner declaration for Income Relief Payment