Government to income-test parents of 18 and 19-year-old benefit claimants

Thursday 22 May 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Thu 22 May 2025, 7:20pm

In this story Louise Upston

From July 2027, the Government plans to introduce a parental assistance test for 18 and 19-year-olds seeking Jobseeker or emergency benefits. This policy aims to determine if parents can reasonably be expected to support their children financially. The specific income threshold for parents has not yet been decided.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffThu 22 May 2025, 3:14pm

   Budget 2025: How Nicola Willis plans to get young people off Playstation and into training or work (opens in new tab)

2. The Press via The PostThu 22 May 2025, 3:18pm

   Budget 2025: Government to means-test teen beneficiaries (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldThu 22 May 2025, 4:02pm

   Budget 2025: Nearly 9000 teens no longer eligible for unemployment benefit under new ‘parent test’ (opens in new tab)

4. RNZThu 22 May 2025, 7:04pm

   Tougher benefit rules for young people trigger mixed responses (opens in new tab)

5. 1NewsThu 22 May 2025, 7:20pm

   No benefit if your parents can pay: Eligibility limits for 18- and 19-year-olds (opens in new tab)