Quick answer
If you urgently need food and have no other way to pay, contact Work and Income. You do not need to already receive a benefit. Approved food help does not need to be repaid, but income, residence and other conditions apply. [1]
Check your situation
- Do you need food or help with another essential cost, such as power or furniture?
- Do you have available bank funds or another way to pay?
- Are you already a Work and Income client, and can you use MyMSD?
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.
Food assistance
Help for current food needs, usually provided through a payment card with an expiry date. [1]
Official conditions and application information ↗Special Needs Grant
Ask about this for other essential or urgent costs you cannot meet, and check the conditions. [2]
Official conditions and application information ↗Advance Payment of Benefit
People receiving a qualifying benefit, pension or other payment can ask about an advance for essential costs. It must be repaid. [3]
Official conditions and application information ↗Recoverable Assistance Payment
People not receiving a benefit can explore this for essential or urgent costs. Conditions apply and it must be repaid. [4]
Official conditions and application information ↗What to check before applying
- Working or not receiving a benefit does not prevent you from asking. The agency checks immediate need, other payment options and your and your partner’s income. [1]
- The non-repayment rule for food help does not apply to all urgent assistance. Confirm the payment name and repayment arrangement before accepting an advance or recoverable assistance. [1][3][4]
Application checklist
Gather these documents first. The official application process determines which evidence is required and how to provide it.
- The food or essential cost you need help with today and why you cannot pay.
- Identity, residence, income and available-funds information; ask what evidence is needed.
- Bills, quotes or deadlines for other costs. Do not upload these documents to iKoru.
What to do next
- Use the official Food page. Existing clients may be able to use MyMSD; new clients or people unable to use it should follow the phone instructions. [1]
- If approved, confirm how to get the card, permitted purchases and expiry. The reviewed guidance says to use the amount within 7 days. [1]
- Explain other essential expenses separately rather than combining different assistance amounts or rules yourself. [2][3][4]
Amounts, payment start dates, backdating, renewals and combinations can depend on your circumstances. Check the latest official information before applying.
Common questions
Is food help paid into my bank account?
The reviewed guidance says the approved amount is loaded onto a payment card. Confirm how to get and use it. [1]
Where else can I look for local food help?
The official Food page also links to a community food provider directory. Each provider has its own service arrangements. [1]
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: Food ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
- Work and Income: Special Needs Grant ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
- Work and Income: Advance Payment Of Benefit ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
- Work and Income: Recoverable Assistance Payment Grant ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
How we compile information · Report an error or outdated information
Share this guide
Save this card for a social post or send it to someone who needs it. The QR code opens this guide directly.
On mobile, open the full image and touch and hold to save if needed.
You may also need
- Working but struggling with rent: what help can you explore?
- Lost your job in New Zealand: what support can you explore?
- Can a temporary visa holder get support in New Zealand?