What You Are Entitled To If You've Lost Your Hospo Job!

Mar 25, 2020

In response to COVID-19, the New Zealand Government are supporting the economy with a $12.1 billion support package.

Help With Essential Costs
If you have lost your job or had yours hours reduced due to the lockdown, you may be able to get a benefit or financial help from Work and Income. 

There is help for urgent costs like:
- Food
- Accomodation costs (rent, mortgages, board, emergency housing)
- Repairs or replacing appliances
- Power, gas and water bills
- Water tank refill
- Emergency medical costs

As of 27th March the Leave payment is no longer accessible to employees.

Jobseeker Support
If you've lost your job there are support options available to you. Jobseeker Support is a weekly payment that helps people until they find work. You must be actively looking for a job however, you can also be in part-time employment seeking more work. You must be 18+ and a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident to apply for this support.

You can find out more information about financial support (including eligibility criteria) on the Work and Income website here. Work and Income call centres are experiencing high demand at the moment so we recommend that you check the website first. If you don't have access to the internet you can call them on  0800 559 009.

Wage Subsidy
The wage subsidy is designed to keep buisinesses going if they face laying off staff or reducing their hours due to COVID-19. If you are an employer, contractor, sole trader or are self-employed you may qualify. The subsidy will be paid in a lump sum payment to your employer to pass on and covers 12 weeks per employee.

For more information including how to apply for the Wage Subsidy Scheme click here