Quick answer
Being in New Zealand does not establish eligibility. Most Work and Income payments have citizenship or residence requirements, and some require a period of residence. If you do not meet ordinary residence rules, contact the agency about hardship and possible exceptions. This does not guarantee approval for temporary visa holders. [1]
Check your situation
- What is the exact name of your visa: temporary or residence class?
- When did it take effect, and how long have you actually lived in New Zealand?
- Does your difficulty concern food, housing, study or basic living costs?
Use these questions for your own planning. You do not need to enter or submit personal information here.
Support to explore
These are starting points, not eligibility decisions. Check each programme separately.
Emergency Benefit
Ask whether this is relevant if you cannot support yourself and do not qualify for another payment. Work and Income must assess your circumstances. [1][2]
Official conditions and application information ↗Student Allowance
Check StudyLink residence rules and exceptions. A student visa alone does not establish eligibility. [3]
Official conditions and application information ↗Student Loan
Student loans have separate eligibility requirements; studying in New Zealand does not automatically qualify you. [3]
Official conditions and application information ↗What to check before applying
- Residence rules vary by programme. Holding a visa, living here for a period or paying tax is not by itself proof of eligibility for all benefits. [1][3]
- If you qualify for another payment, apply for that payment. Contact the agency if you do not meet ordinary residence requirements. [2][1]
- StudyLink sets out different rules for citizens, residents and certain protection or resettlement categories. Read the full rules. [3]
Application checklist
Gather these documents first. The official application process determines which evidence is required and how to provide it.
- Passport, eVisa or status documents, including the exact category and effective date.
- Residence history, household details, income, assets and urgent expenses.
- Agency contacts, application references and questions to follow up; ask which evidence is required.
What to do next
- Read Work and Income’s Moving to New Zealand guidance and check the requirements of the particular payment. [1]
- If you cannot meet basic living costs, explain your full situation to Work and Income. The Emergency Benefit page lists 0800 559 009. [2]
- For study costs, check residence and course rules with StudyLink rather than applying another benefit’s rules. [3]
Amounts, payment start dates, backdating, renewals and combinations can depend on your circumstances. Check the latest official information before applying.
Common questions
If the questionnaire suggests nothing, am I ineligible?
No. iKoru’s questionnaire covers only some programmes and cannot decide eligibility. Ask the relevant agency about complex circumstances.
Official sources and review date
These are independent iKoru summaries. Numbered citations link to the sources; official information and later notices take precedence.
- Work and Income: Moving To Nz ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
- Work and Income: Emergency Benefit ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
- StudyLink: Coming to New Zealand to study ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
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