If you get a main benefit from MSD, in some cases you can choose to get Working for Families from MSD or Inland Revenue.
Both Inland Revenue and MSD (the Ministry of Social Development) pay Working for Families payments. You may know MSD as 'Work and Income'.
In some cases, you must get your payments from Inland Revenue.
The rest of the time you can choose to get your payments from MSD or Inland Revenue - whatever works best for you.
Who should pay your Working for Families payments - a quick guide
MSD or Inland Revenue? This table will help you decide.
| Your situation | MSD (Ministry of Social Development) | Inland Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| You share the care of your child with someone else | We should pay your Working for Families | |
| Your monthly family income is over $3,558 (before tax) | We should pay your Working for Families | |
| Your only income is from a benefit and your child is living with you. Here you have a choice. | You can ask MSD to pay your Working for Families | You can ask us to pay your Working for Families |
Your Working for Families entitlement
If you’re getting a main benefit, you may qualify for Best Start and the family tax credit. You're unable to get the in-work tax credit or the minimum family tax credit.
MSD and Inland Revenue work out entitlements differently
MSD only pays full Working for Families entitlements. Inland Revenue pays both full Working for Families entitlements, and entitlements that must be adjusted.
You'll get a full Working for Families entitlement if your only income is from a benefit and your child is living with you. You can get Working for Families from MSD.
Adjustments will be required if your monthly family income is over $3,558 (before tax) or you share the care of your child with someone else. You can get adjusted (abated) Working for Families from Inland Revenue.
The rules for adjustments depend on the type of Working for Families payment involved.
Working out your family income
Where to apply for Working for Families
If your Working for Families entitlement must be adjusted, you must apply to Inland Revenue for Working for Families.
If no adjustments are required, you can apply to MSD or Inland Revenue. You have a choice.
Getting your Working for Families from Inland Revenue
If you'd like to get your payments from Inland Revenue, you have 3 ways to register:
Apply for Working for Families
Getting your Working for Families from MSD
If you'd like to get your payments from MSD, please contact MSD directly.
If you qualify, MSD will pay your Working for Families payments along with your benefit.
Switching from MSD to Inland Revenue
You'll need to switch from MSD to Inland Revenue if you're getting your Working for Families from MSD and either:
- your monthly family income goes over $3,558 (before tax)
- you start sharing the care of your child with someone else
- you stop receiving all MSD benefits.
Please ask MSD to stop your payments and apply to Inland Revenue for Working for Families.
If your benefit might end soon
Are you applying for Working for Families, or estimating your entitlement for the coming year?
If it looks like you'll come off a benefit shortly, we recommend you apply to Inland Revenue for your Working for Families payments. That way, you'll reduce your chances of missing a payment when you switch from MSD to Inland Revenue.
If you're currently getting Working from Families from MSD, please remember to ask them to stop your payments, otherwise you will end up with an overpayment at the end of the tax year.
Tell us about any changes straight away
If your income or family situation changes make sure you tell us and MSD as soon as possible.
Your payments will be adjusted to reduce the risk of an overpayment at the end of the year (which you’ll need to repay):
Changes to your family situation, income and working hours
Are you getting everything you're entitled to?
Raising a family can put a lot of stress on your budget and MSD may be able to help you out with extra money - even if you're working. MSD has a guide which will tell you about all the payments you might be entitled to:
Adrian receives Working for Families payments for his daughter Freya.
Last year, Adrian was made redundant and started getting a Jobseeker benefit (a main benefit) from MSD. He asked MSD to pay his Working for Families, because his benefit was his only income.
In January, Adrian starts working part time, earning over $3,558 a month. That means he needs to get his Working for Families from Inland Revenue. If he stays with MSD, he'll get the maximum Working for Families entitlement and end up with an overpayment which he'll need to pay back.
Adrian lets MSD know about the change so they'll stop his payments. Then he contacts Inland Revenue and applies for Working for Families. If he gets payments from MSD and Inland Revenue at the same time, he'll get an overpayment, which he'll need to pay back.
Because Adrian tells us about the change in his situation straight away, Inland Revenue can update his records and make sure he does not miss out on a payment.
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