COVID-19
support available to you during COVID-19
COVID-19 - youth service support
Our Youth Service providers are available by phone if you are in isolation or lockdown. If you need to talk to your youth coach, please phone them.
During this time your regular payments will continue, and your Youth Coach will continue to support you.
To check your payments or tell us about your changes, visit MyMSD.
assessment and testing for COVID-19
If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as cold or flu symptoms, contact Healthline (0800 358 5453) or your doctor to find out if you need a test.
If you are offered a test for COVID-19, please take it.
A COVID-19 test is free of charge. However, you may need to pay for a test if it's for the purpose of entering another country. See advice for travellers for more information.
more information
Please contact your Youth Coach if you have any questions about your payments.
You can stay up to date with the latest Government information, including Ministry of Health advice on COVID19.govt.nz
stress counselling and support
Emergencies are usually unexpected, sudden and overwhelming. It's natural to feel emotionally and physically drained.
You’re not alone in this and you don’t need to cope on your own.
You can get more help and information from:
- your Youth Coach
- your GP or local community health centre
- Youthline - 0800 376 633 or www.youthline.co.nz
- Need To Talk by calling or texting 1737
- in an emergency always call 111
Dr Siouxsie Wiles Q&A videos
find the answers to your COVID-19 questions with Dr Siouxsie Wiles.
Dr Siouxsie Wiles Q&A - Vaccines and our immune system
Dr Siouxsie Wiles Q&A - What happens when we get infected?
Dr Siouxsie Wiles Q&A - What is in the vaccine?
Dr Siouxsie Wiles Q&A - how does the vaccine work
Dr Siouxsie Wiles Q&A - Why it's important to get vaccinated
help for you and your whānau
You or someone in your family may be able to get some extra help if they’ve lost their job, can’t work at the moment or if they’re working and have a low income job. We can help with things like:
- food
- accommodation
- power, gas, heating or water
- medical and dental care.
Get help with urgent or unexpected costs
Benefits and payments for you, your family and whānau
Get in touch to find out what help you can get
You can contact Work and Income at all traffic light settings and get your regular payments as usual.
Service centres during COVID-19
You don’t need proof of vaccination and won’t be asked to show your My Vaccine Pass when you come into a Work and Income service centre. You’ll need to wear a facemask and scan the QR code or keep a record of your visit to help with contact tracing.
Helpful links
Download essential costs information in English (PDF 169 KB) (PDF 169.44KB)