Winter Energy Payment

The Winter Energy Payment is an extra payment over the winter months for students getting Jobseeker Support Student Hardship.

You don't need to apply for the Winter Energy Payment - you'll get it automatically if you're getting Jobseeker Support Student Hardship.

When you'll get your last 2025 payment

You'll get your last full Winter Energy Payment in the week starting 29 September.

You'll get a part Winter Energy Payment (3 days worth) in the week starting 6 October.

Your first payment without Winter Energy Payment will be in the week starting 13 October 2025.

You'll automatically get the Winter Energy Payment if you’re getting Jobseeker Support Student Hardship, or any of these benefits from Work and Income:

Jobseeker Support
Sole Parent Support
Supported Living Payment
Young Parent Payment
Youth Payment
Emergency Benefit
Emergency Maintenance Allowance.

If you're getting one of these benefits, you will automatically get Winter Energy Payment. You don't need to apply for it.

Who can't get the Winter Energy Payment

You can't get the payment if you're not getting Jobseeker Support Student Hardship or one of the above benefits from Work and Income.

Winter Energy Payment dates

The Winter Energy Payment will be paid from 1 May to 1 October, as long as you're still getting Jobseeker Support Student Hardship during this time, or a Work and income benefit.

It's paid to you every week, on the same day you get your Jobseeker Support Student Hardship or benefit.

Winter Energy Payment rates

Single people with no dependent children	$20.46 a week
Couples, and people with dependent children	$31.82 a week

Couples will be paid $31.82 whether you live together or separately.

The Winter Energy Payment:

doesn't affect your other payments from us, or your Income Related Rent
is a non-taxable payment
can't be paid as a lump sum.

You need to tell us if you leave New Zealand between 1 May and 1 October, so we can work out if your payments can continue while you're away. If you're able to keep getting your benefit when you're overseas, we'll keep paying your Winter Energy Payment for up to 28 days.

Find out how to tell us about your travel, and what happens to your payments, here:

Going overseas

When you return to New Zealand

If you return to New Zealand:

before 1 October, you need to contact us so we can start your Winter Energy Payment again
after 1 October, your Winter Energy Payment will automatically start again next year, as long as you still qualify.

Winter Energy Payment

When you'll get your last 2025 payment

Who can get the Winter Energy Payment

Who can't get the Winter Energy Payment

Payment period and rates

Winter Energy Payment dates

Winter Energy Payment rates

Travelling overseas during the payment period

When you return to New Zealand

If you don't want the Winter Energy Payment

If you've stopped the payments, you can start them again