how payments work
when your payments start, pay days and when you get your first and last payment
when your payments start
If you've applied for a payment from us, you may have a stand-down of one or two weeks.
Your payments will start after your stand-down finishes. If you've been working recently, your payments may take longer to start.
You won't have a stand-down if you're enrolled in a full-time course of secondary education or training course. Talk to your Youth Coach if you have any questions about stand-downs.
when you get your first payment
Once your payments start, you won't get any money in the first week. This is because we pay you for the week that's just been. This is also called arrears.
For example:
- Your payments start on Monday - you won't get any money in this week
- Your first weekly payment is paid in the next week, on your pay day.
Approved part-way through the week
If your payments start part-way through the week, your first payment will be less than what you would normally get.
For example:
- Your payments start on Wednesday
- Your first weekly payment:
- is paid in the next week, on your pay day, and
- will be for 5 days (Wednesday - Sunday).
child disability allowance
Child Disability Allowance is paid every fortnight on a Tuesday. These are set pay dates.
Once your application is approved, you'll get your first payment of Child Disability Allowance on the next set pay date. If your application is approved part-way through the pay period, your first payment will be less than what you would normally get.
pay days
Your official pay day is either:
- Tuesday
- Wednesday, or
- Thursday
Once you have a pay day, it will never change. Even if you get another benefit or payment from us later on.
You might see your payment in your account the night before, it depends on who you bank with.
Find out your pay day
Once your application is approved, we'll send you a letter letting you know the date of your first payment.
You can also check what your pay day is in MyMSD.
when your payments stop
If your payment stops, you'll get your last payment a week after the date it stops. This is because we pay you for the week that's just been. This is also called arrears.
Stops part-way through the week
If your payment stops part-way through the week, your last payment will be less than what you would normally get.
For example:
- Your payment stops on Wednesday
- Your last weekly payment:
- is paid in the next week, on your pay day, and
- will be for 2 days (Monday - Tuesday).
pay days on public holidays
Sometimes your regular pay day will fall on a public holiday. When this happens, we'll always make sure you get your payments either the day before or on your regular pay day.
For example, if you're usually paid on Wednesdays, and Wednesday is a public holiday, your payment will be available from Tuesday.
Regional anniversary holidays
If your regular pay day falls on a regional anniversary (eg Wellington or Auckland anniversary), you will still be paid on your usual pay day. This is because pay dates only change when there is a national holiday for the whole country.