Moving house is expensive at the best of times. If money is tight, Work and Income (WINZ) may be able to help with the cost of the move itself, and J-Tip It is a registered Work and Income quote supplier for moving and waste removal, which makes the paperwork side easier.
Here is how the help actually works, based on Work and Income’s own criteria as at August 2026. Rules and limits can change, so always confirm the details with Work and Income directly.
What help does Work and Income offer for moving costs?
Work and Income can pay towards the real costs of physically moving: hiring a trailer, van, or truck, petrol, or a moving company’s fee where you cannot do the shifting yourself because of age, illness, or disability.
It does not cover things like personal travel, moving overseas, or storage.
Do you need to be on a benefit?
No. You do not need to be on a benefit to qualify. There are income and asset limits, though. As a guide, a single person needs to be earning under roughly $1,350 a week before tax, with higher limits for couples and sole parents, and your assets (savings, vehicles beyond the basics) need to sit under set caps. Work and Income will check your situation when you apply.
How much can you get?
Up to $1,500 in total, and you can only get this help twice in any 12 month period. Work and Income may go beyond that in exceptional situations outside your control, such as needing to move unexpectedly through no fault of your own.
The important part: it is paid back
This is not a grant you keep. It is an advance, which means you pay it back over time. Work and Income sets up a repayment plan around your financial circumstances, so it works like an interest-free loan for your move rather than free money. Plenty of people still find it worthwhile, because it turns one impossible bill into small manageable payments.
How the process works
- Contact Work and Income on 0800 559 009 (or 0800 552 002 if you receive NZ Super or a Veteran’s Pension) and ask about help with moving costs.
- They will ask for proof of your moving costs. In practice, that means a quote from the moving company.
- If approved, Work and Income pays either you or the supplier directly, depending on the cost.
That quote is where most people get stuck, and it is the part we can sort quickly.
Where J-Tip It fits in
J-Tip It is a registered Work and Income quote supplier for furniture moving and waste removal in Auckland. That means:
- We can give you a written quote for your application, fast. Tell us what needs moving or clearing, ideally with a couple of photos, and we will send back a fixed-price quote you can hand straight to your case manager.
- The price is fixed. The number on the quote is the number you pay, which keeps things simple for you and for Work and Income.
- Work and Income can pay us directly. For many costs, the payment goes straight to the supplier, so you may not need to handle the money at all.
- We do all the lifting. If age, illness, or disability is the reason you cannot move things yourself, that is exactly the situation this help exists for, and exactly the kind of job we do every week.
We can quote for a full house move, a single-item shift, an end-of-tenancy clear-out, or getting rid of the furniture and junk that is not coming with you.
Getting a quote for your WINZ application
Call or text us on 021 189 4590, or use the quote form, and mention that the quote is for a Work and Income application. Send a couple of photos of what needs moving or clearing and we will usually have a written quote back to you the same day.
No obligation, and the quote is free whether or not your application is approved.
Common questions
Can Work and Income help with rubbish removal too, or just moving?
The help is for the cost of moving your belongings, not for clearing out rubbish on its own. In practice the two often overlap, because most moves leave behind furniture and junk that is not coming with you. We quote the whole job either way, so you can see what sits inside your application and what does not.
What happens if my application is declined?
Nothing changes on our end. The quote costs you nothing and there is no obligation to book, so if Work and Income says no you are free to walk away or talk to us about a smaller job that fits your budget.
How long does it take to get a quote?
Usually the same day. Send a couple of photos of what needs moving or clearing along with your suburb, and we will send back a written fixed-price quote you can take straight to your case manager.