MyMSD: How to Register and Apply for a Benefit

Wondering how you can register to MyMSD and apply for a benefit? With your MyMSD login, you can do it all yourself online. Through the benefits provided by Work and Income, this online service can help you get financial assistance for you and your family, update your personal information, or check your payments.

Learn more about this helpful tool with this guide to MyMSD registration and features.

What is MyMSD?

MyMSD is an online service by the Ministry of Social Development. It's commonly used to monitor and receive your benefit payments from Work and Income, Senior Service, and Youth Service. Other tasks you can do within the platform are to apply for food grants, check your payment status, and book an appointment.

Applying for benefits can even be completed online. To register, simply log in to your MyMSD account, fill out the forms, and submit the necessary documents. Within five working days, they will go through your application and confirm whether you’re eligible for payments.

Check out this step-by-step guide to applying for benefits. Do note that this process is applicable for most benefits except for NZ Superannuation, COVID-19 Income Relief Payment, or Jobseeker Support Student Hardship.

1. Prepare your client number

A client number is a 9-digit number issued by the Work and Income which look like XXX-XXX-XXX. This is used to access StudyLink, Seniors or Youth Services. You can find it on any mail you receive from Work and Income, on the front of your community services card, or on the back of your Super Gold Card.

If you don’t have a client number or can’t remember it, request it by completing an online form. You need some personal details such as your name, date of birth, address, and IRD number. Wait within 1-2 working days if you don’t have an IRD number. Simply wait for a few hours if you filled out your IRD number.

Once you get your client number, use it to log in to your MyMSD account.

2. Accomplish the online application form

Once you’ve logged into your MyMSD account, complete the application form to process your benefits. Select ‘Apply’ and your personal information will be automatically filled out based on your login information. You can change these details if they’re not updated.

If you haven’t used the service before, register first. Enter your basic information including your client number. Simply follow the instructions on the screen to finish the registration. Once you’re on your account, select ‘Apply’ and follow the rest of the instructions.

If you can’t access your account, contact 0800 559 009.

3. Upload necessary documents

The Ministry of Social Development needs several documents to process your application. You and your partner, if you have one, must prepare these upon application. You must provide the original or certified true copy of the following:

• Two (2) government-issued IDs such as a birth certificate, passport, driver’s licence, firearms licence, among others
• If you’re born overseas, provide a citizen certificate, NZ refugee travel document, passport from your country of birth, among others
• If you  can’t provide two government-issued IDs, show a document proving your identity such as a bank document, power bill, among others

Depending on your case, you may also need to submit a medical certificate. Follow the instructions from MyMSD on how to send these documents electronically. You must include your client number when before sending out the medical certificate.

4. Wait for at least 5 working days

After sending out your application, wait for at least five working days before receiving a reply from the Ministry of Social Development. They need this timeframe to assess the benefits and payments you can get. They should also let you know whether you need to submit additional documents for further assessment. 

They’ll let you know their decision either through phone or mail. Along with this, you should be notified of the obligations that you need to follow to get continuous payments from the Ministry. You can also appeal their decision if you don’t agree with them.

5. Start receiving payments

Once approved, your payment starts automatically. In cases where you’ve left your job without an acceptable reason or you’ve been fired for misconduct, you need to wait up to 13 weeks to start receiving payments.

You can track your payments by logging into your MyMSD. You can also manage your personal information or tell your income using your account. It’s important to note that you can only start receiving payments one week after getting approved.

What can you do with MyMSD?

MyMSD is an online service provided by Work and Income for Kiwis receiving payments for Senior and Youth Services. You can access your account through your smartphones, tablets, and computers.

You can use your MyMSD login for a wide range of benefits including a food grant, help with dental costs, help with school supplies cost, Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Temporary Additional Support, and many more.

How can you access your MyMSD login?

Logging into your MyMSD account is extremely easy. Once you’ve set up your account, you can access your account just like any other online accounts. If you can’t remember your MyMSD PIN, you can always reset it as long as you know your client number and date of birth.

Whenever you log in using a new device, you need to input a one-time code sent to your mobile phone or email address. Simply enter this confirmation code to gain access to your MyMSD account. You can save the new device so you won’t need to enter a code over and over again.

Similarly, you can also remove the device from being connected to your MyMSD account. You can select this option once you log out of your account.

Can you log in to your MyMSD account without an internet connection?

If you don’t have enough data credits, you may not be able to access your account. It needs to connect to the internet to display real-time information about your benefits and payments.

Better yet, get an unlimited mobile data plan from leading providers in New Zealand. For as low as $40 per month, you can enjoy fast 4G speeds with unlimited data, text, and calls to access your MyMSD login any time, anywhere.