Cost of Living

Government to end jobseeker payments for teenagers with higher-earning parents

From November, 18 and 19-year-olds whose parents earn over $65,000 will lose access to unemployment benefits.

Skinny McBuntu

The government is changing welfare rules to end Jobseeker payments for 18 and 19-year-olds whose parents earn more than $65,000, effective November. Parents are expressing concern about the change, with some worried about their ability to support their families. One solo parent noted that losing the benefit could have meant losing her house.

Covered byRNZOtago Daily TimesNot covered byStuffNZ Herald1NewsNewstalk ZBNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz

Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

What outlets are saying

RNZ

Thousands of youths set to lose access to unemployment benefits after welfare law change

The government will end Jobseeker payments to 18 and 19-year-olds whose parents earn more than $65,000 from November.

Read the full story at RNZ

RNZ

Thousands of youths to lose access to unemployment benefits after welfare law change

The government will end Jobseeker payments to 18 and 19-year-olds whose parents earn more than $65,000 from November.

Read the full story at RNZ

RNZ

'Finding a part time job for a kid is like winning the lottery' – parents worry about jobseeker benefit changes

"If he couldn't get the benefit, I probably would've lost my house," says a solo mum who lost access to child support payments when her eldest son turned 18.

Read the full story at RNZ