WINZ Sickness Benefit Rates 2026/27 and How to Apply

People still search for “WINZ sickness benefit rates,” but Work and Income now uses Jobseeker Support when an eligible person cannot work right now, or must reduce hours, because of a health condition, injury or disability. There is not a separate higher or lower sickness schedule.

The maximum amount comes from the same 2026/27 age and household table used for other Jobseeker Support claims. A single person aged 25 or over with no other income, for example, has a maximum of $372.55 a week after tax at the M rate from 1 April 2026.

Talk with your health practitioner about how the condition affects the tasks and hours you can manage. Work and Income requires a Work Capacity Medical Certificate for a Jobseeker claim based on health, injury or disability. Some practitioners submit it electronically; otherwise you need to provide it.

The certificate records a period of medical coverage and supports the work-capacity assessment. It is not a guarantee of payment and does not by itself determine the amount. Work and Income also checks the ordinary age, residence, study, relationship and income rules.

Apply for financial assistance in MyMSD and complete the personalised Next steps after submitting the form. These can include identity verification, documents, the Jobseeker profile, agreement to obligations and an appointment. If you cannot apply online, call Work and Income on 0800 559 009.

Apply promptly. Work and Income says assistance may be granted from the request date and the application process normally needs to be completed within 20 working days of first contact. A stand-down and the formal entitlement date can still affect when payments begin.

If you can work part-time because of the condition, Work and Income may require you to look for suitable work of at least 15 hours a week. If you cannot work or can manage fewer than 15 hours, you may have work-preparation obligations rather than an immediate requirement to seek a job.

The settings can change when your health changes. Attend requested assessments, tell Work and Income if capacity improves or worsens, and read the obligations recorded in your decision. A partner can have separate obligations even when your own are adjusted for health.

Work and Income says it writes about four weeks before medical coverage expires. Before the expiry date, either provide a renewed certificate or tell Work and Income you are ready to look for work. Contact them quickly if a practitioner appointment makes the deadline difficult.

A renewed medical certificate and a 26-week benefit reapplication are different requirements. Depending on timing, both may be due. Check MyMSD notifications and letters rather than assuming one process completes the other.

Supported Living Payment has a higher medical threshold. Work and Income policy describes permanent restriction as a condition expected to affect work capacity for at least two years, and severe restriction as being unable to regularly work 15 hours or more a week in open employment.

Those definitions need an individual medical assessment. A diagnosis or a long period away from work does not let an online calculator determine the correct benefit. Apply with complete medical information and ask Work and Income to explain which payment it is considering and why.