# Question 45: I have a long-term health condition that limits my ability to work. I rely on income support and need regular medical appointments. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. How would parties change income support and work obligations for people who cannot work because of illness? Collected 2 November 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 8 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 654c8d73-519e-4cee-98c5-fdd0699ce098 For the 2026 New Zealand general election, one of the biggest differences between the parties is how they approach people whose health conditions prevent them from working. The central divide is between parties proposing to increase income security and reduce welfare obligations, and parties favouring stricter eligibility assessments, reassessments or stronger employment-focused requirements. I've looked particularly at policies affecting disabled people and people with long-term illnesses, rather than general unemployment policies. The election is on 7 November 2026, so these are the parties' latest published positions as of 1 November 2026. ## 1. Comparison of the main parties The following compares announced policies, not promises that have already become law. ### Green Party ![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline) Green Party The Greens propose substantial changes to income support for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Their policies include: - Increasing main benefit rates to levels they consider sufficient for a liveable income. - Providing accessible and timely income support for disability-related living and medical expenses. - Removing the effect of a partner's income on benefit eligibility (individualising benefits). - Abolishing benefit sanctions introduced by the current government. - Establishing a legal right to a guaranteed minimum income. - Extending ACC coverage to income support and treatment for injuries, illnesses and disabilities regardless of their origin. - Removing AI from welfare decisions, including decisions to suspend or cancel payments and impose sanctions. What this could mean for you: Less financial pressure from benefit obligations, greater protection against sanctions and more recognition of the additional costs associated with ongoing illness. Sources: [Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026) ### Te Pāti Māori ![Te Pāti Māori - Party for Party vote - NZ Election 2023 - Policy.nz](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/wTV9hxAOYzs4MX6hnGtj_ELeSR1VPbP9l046HOwhp2UZZtCfc8KwwZVB0-2n6Iinr3uWiRyM4dEa2cD5LOOtdlAjSgoNQ0gG9QXoJwemLTDmXMMEl5IUWheogu0GzYSG6_D0Qtx7eW7Xz-IH5QOBxQf00r7YeBj1geAzgX4aFok?purpose=inline) Te Pāti Māori Te Pāti Māori proposes extensive welfare reform. Its announced policies include: - Doubling baseline benefit levels, aiming for the upper range of Welfare Expert Advisory Group recommendations. - Removing financial penalties and benefit sanctions. - Removing work-test obligations. - Making benefit entitlements individual rather than dependent on relationship status. - Increasing income thresholds before benefits are reduced when someone earns money. - Cancelling income-support-related debt owed to the Crown. - Making grants and additional assistance non-repayable. - Improving access to disability services, health services and mental health support. What this could mean for you: A substantially different welfare system, with higher baseline income, fewer employment obligations and less risk of financial penalties. Importantly, removing work-test obligations is particularly relevant to people whose medical conditions make employment unrealistic. Source: [Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026)[Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/) ### Labour Party ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline) New Zealand Labour Party Labour has announced several disability-related commitments, although its proposed welfare changes are less extensive than those of the Greens and Te Pāti Māori. Its policies include: - Ending annual benefit reviews for people with permanent and verifiable disabilities. - Repealing the Disability Support Services Act and replacing it with rights-based legislation developed alongside disabled people. - Supporting disabled people and carers to access appropriate assistance. - Restoring pay equity legislation for care and support workers. Labour has also announced healthcare changes: - Three free GP visits per year through a proposed Medicard. - Removing the $5 prescription charge for eligible prescriptions, from July 2027. What this could mean for you: If you have a permanent, medically verified condition, ending annual benefit reviews could reduce the administrative burden and uncertainty associated with maintaining your support. The GP and prescription policies could also help with the cost of regular medical care. However, Labour has not announced a comprehensive replacement of the existing benefit system or a general removal of work obligations. Sources: [Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026)[How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election)[Labour's 2026 Election Policies](https://www.labour.org.nz/policy) ### National Party ![Will National Party Finish 2nd in New Zealand's 2026 Election?](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/LCDs4P76HEgfCayafHeSga8GCw12Vxs2fPc3toeyLUZ-wmb6UiGRZY6bhdT1xRejtICfUd6GX2BWmI76EkpoWuffTU4g32bP_qUJp29rsfn5_Zvj5THHSYTLHSoo_5_YQyZ3zKE1WIpB4bu7raRltFl5TZFCgCcE0quf_GohkFI?purpose=inline) New Zealand National Party National has not announced a specific new disability income-support package for this election. Its welfare policies focus more on employment participation and reducing long-term benefit dependence. Announced policies include: - Random drug testing for Jobseeker Support recipients. - More intensive employment-focused support for 30,000 work-ready jobseekers who have been receiving Jobseeker Support for more than a year. - Reducing Jobseeker payments for people who have received the benefit for two of the previous three years, from April 2028. - Increasing the non-entitlement period for repeated voluntary unemployment from 13 to 26 weeks. There is an important distinction here: the policies target Jobseeker recipients, particularly those considered work-ready. They should not automatically be interpreted as applying to everyone receiving the Supported Living Payment. What this could mean for you: National has not announced a new general protection or increase specifically for people permanently unable to work. It is important to establish how its proposed Jobseeker measures would treat people with medical exemptions. Source: [Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026)[Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/) ### ACT Party ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/GcOzrFkDRkAT5J-3PLntC_t3eT3wuPG52vNnpFJ5xZAm4GrcYnInkkPCmGvxX-xsLbKhD0YWJuWw0gMUfC5fTGhQn818DeGkix5pKa7WUbVIsnjuibMwywV1KW_WLaNJZs2MuIPK7QyoR7pxqUmRZFimxeuxpwyXEYctXwiIwE8?purpose=inline) ACT New Zealand ACT has proposed significant changes to medical assessments for health and disability benefits. Its policies include: - Requiring independent medical certification against specified criteria for health and disability benefits. - Having assessments conducted by doctors approved by the Ministry of Social Development, rather than relying on a person's own GP or specialist. - Gradually reassessing existing benefit recipients. - Beginning reassessments with people whose conditions are mental-health-related. ACT says its approach would distinguish between people genuinely unable to work and those who could work with appropriate support. It intends to reduce disability-related spending by $653 million between 2028 and 2031. What this could mean for you: You could face additional medical assessments, even if you already receive long-term income support. The proposed independent assessment process could change how your eligibility is determined. It would be particularly important to understand how complex, fluctuating or permanent conditions would be assessed. Source: [Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026) ### New Zealand First ![New Zealand legislative election winner? Predictions & Od... 2026 | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UmXClDd76aKEk_XyXfEEacFBHXO18HFMG1Im-weRm7tb64uGzBsRK3vWPXuiFN2zaWaNznb7eSDIJucKOhlXtwb6Lq-BYR6oxisKzHsWTxF5AsiLmtcNGDNtwCsXzgIuSp2vW4pa6pAda-tTriG23zKX1ZuknQ81HGh411pqRkM?purpose=inline) New Zealand First NZ First has not published a substantial disability-specific income-support reform package for this election. Its published welfare-related positions include: - A proposed 10-year welfare stand-down for visa holders. - An emphasis on economic independence and employment opportunities. - No clearly specified new income-support or work-obligation framework for people permanently unable to work. What this could mean for you: There is currently insufficient detail to establish whether NZ First would change your existing benefit entitlement, medical exemption arrangements or work obligations. Source: [Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/)[How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election) ### The Opportunities Party (TOP) ![](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/KZ1zP60v_ZeHHj3ij4DA2sVh6oX86DHN4x_RGhm63IEKbj8P_3phlgxON0_dzBqruxZt_piBvLSwWYOzxGtRjeiBIDJnBczyBauAihY7VhbFruy9Xq4tPeGbXtvfFHap7T9ZV_eOqtHyttigv_yv7jT6ibug6IoPJMJnJ8SLOeE?purpose=inline) The Opportunities Party (TOP) TOP has proposed a different approach to income support through its Citizen's Income policy. Its proposal includes: - Paying almost all adults up to $370 per week. - Replacing most existing benefits, including Jobseeker Support and the Supported Living Payment. - Providing additional disability-related support. - Introducing a specific disability allowance, alongside needs-based top-ups. - Maintaining separate funding for disability-related services such as transport and assistive technology. The Spinoff reports that the proposed disability allowance is projected to provide approximately $6,000 annually. What this could mean for you: Rather than relying on the existing benefit structure, you could receive a universal basic payment with additional disability-related support. However, it is important to investigate the proposed top-ups and whether they would adequately replace your current entitlement. The $370 is not necessarily your total future income. Sources: [How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026) ## 2. Side-by-side comparison This is a simplified comparison of the announced policies most relevant to someone unable to work because of illness. | Party | Income support | Work obligations and assessments | | --- | --- | --- | | Greens | Increase benefits; disability-related cost support | Abolish sanctions | | Te Pāti Māori | Double baseline benefits | Remove work tests and sanctions | | Labour | End annual reviews for permanent, verifiable disabilities | No general removal of work tests announced | | National | No specific disability benefit increase announced | Employment-focused Jobseeker measures | | ACT | No major benefit increase announced | Independent medical certification and reassessment | | NZ First | No specific disability income reform announced | No detailed disability-specific position | | TOP | Up to $370 weekly Citizen's Income plus disability support | Replace existing benefit structure | Sources: [Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026)[How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election) ## 3. Three issues I would pay particular attention to Given that you rely on income support and need regular medical appointments, I would look beyond general promises about helping disabled people. There are three particularly important policy questions. 1. Will you have to keep proving that you cannot work? This is a significant difference between Labour and ACT. - Labour proposes ending annual reviews for people with permanent and verifiable disabilities. - ACT proposes independent medical certification and reassessment of existing recipients. - The Greens and Te Pāti Māori propose broader changes to welfare obligations and sanctions. 2. Will your income be sufficient to cover living and medical costs? Look at whether parties propose: - Higher baseline benefit payments. - Additional disability allowances. - Help with prescriptions and GP appointments. - Assistance with transport to medical appointments. - Less dependence on a partner's income when calculating entitlements. 3. What happens if your medical condition fluctuates? This is especially important for people with chronic illnesses. Someone might be capable of doing a small amount of work occasionally but still be medically incapable of maintaining regular employment. You should look for policies that distinguish between: - Being able to do occasional tasks. - Being able to work limited hours. - Being capable of maintaining sustainable employment. - Being medically unable to work at all. These are not the same thing. ## 4. An important distinction in the existing system New Zealand has different benefit arrangements, and your current benefit type matters. For example: - Supported Living Payment: Generally intended for people who have a significant health condition, injury or disability that severely restricts their ability to work on a long-term basis. - Jobseeker Support with a medical deferral or exemption: For people whose health condition temporarily limits their ability to work or meet normal work obligations. Some disabled people remain on Jobseeker Support with medical exemptions because they cannot access Supported Living Payment. This is an important issue when considering proposed Jobseeker sanctions and reassessments. [Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/) ## 5. Where to investigate the policies further These independent election resources provide useful additional detail: - [CCS Disability Action – Election 2026 policy analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com). Particularly useful because it examines welfare, disability, employment and healthcare. - [The D\*List – Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). Useful for comparing the parties' specific responses about disability funding and welfare. - [The Spinoff – Disability policies in the 2026 election](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election?utm_source=chatgpt.com). Covers broader disability rights and funding policies. ## 6. One question that would help narrow this down There is an important distinction between someone who is permanently unable to work and someone whose illness makes employment unpredictable or possible only occasionally. Which of these best describes your current situation? With that information, I can give you a much more targeted comparison of how each party's proposals could affect your income security, medical reviews and ability to retain support without being pressured into work your health does not allow. ## Gemini Answer ID: e9399de5-0c17-453c-9945-bbfbe7a3681b When considering your vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election, political parties offer starkly different visions for income support, benefit obligations, and the welfare system—particularly regarding people dealing with illness, disability, or long-term health conditions. Depending on whether a party emphasizes strict work-test obligations, targeted welfare controls, or significant baseline increases to financial support, their approaches can be grouped into distinct categories: --- ### 1. Parties Favoring Strict Obligations, Verification, and Benefit Controls Parties on the center-to-right (such as **National** and **ACT**) generally emphasize strict compliance, clear medical criteria, and structured transitions back to work where feasible, coupled with measures to crack down on long-term benefit dependency. * **National:** Focuses heavily on shifting long-term beneficiaries into work through intensive support for those able, while tightening rules around benefit management. (Note: While National has pushed work-test obligations and sanctions for Jobseeker recipients, policies regarding drug testing and benefit sanctions primarily target work-ready beneficiaries, though boundaries with medical exemptions remain a key point of discussion for advocates). * **ACT:** Proposes stricter, independent medical certification against clear criteria for health and disability benefits, alongside a phased reassessment of existing recipients. ACT also proposes electronic money management (such as income management cards that block spending on alcohol, gambling, and tobacco) for certain long-term benefit recipients. ### 2. Parties Favoring Universal Basic Support and Removing Sanctions Parties on the left and alternative economic platforms (such as the **Green Party** and **The Opportunities Party - TOP**) propose sweeping overhauls to lift income adequacy and eliminate punitive measures for those unable to work. * **Green Party:** Advocates for significantly increasing main benefit levels to a liveable income, removing financial penalties, sanctions, and work-test obligations, and eliminating AI-driven welfare payment decisions (such as automated suspensions or cancellations). They also aim to streamline disability support so that it covers all living and medical costs without discrimination based on relationship status. * **The Opportunities Party (TOP):** Proposes a **Citizen’s Income** policy ($370 weekly paid to almost all adults) which would replace most traditional benefits (including Jobseeker Support and the Supported Living Payment), featuring specific top-ups designed for disabled people and parents. ### 3. Parties Emphasizing Cost-of-Living Relief and Public Services Other parties focus less on direct structural welfare overhauls and more on easing the financial strain of everyday life and healthcare costs for low-income New Zealanders. * **Labour:** Focuses on reducing out-of-pocket health and living costs—such as introducing three free GP visits a year via a "Medicard" and restoring universally free prescriptions—which directly impact those managing chronic illnesses who frequently rely on primary care and medication. * **Te Pāti Māori:** Emphasizes aligning disability support with broader income and employment policies to prevent disabled people (*Tangata Hauā*) from being forced into poverty, alongside raising minimum income floors and recognizing unpaid care work as valuable labor. --- ### Summary Comparison Table | Approach / Priority | Key Parties | Typical Policies for Illness & Income Support | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Stricht Criteria & Controls** | ACT, National | Independent medical reassessments, tighter eligibility verification, and stricter management of long-term benefits. | | **Welfare Overhaul & No Sanctions** | Green Party, TOP | Removing work-test obligations and financial sanctions, raising baseline benefits to liveable levels, or introducing a universal Citizen's Income. | | **Cost Reduction & Healthcare Access** | Labour, NZ First, Te Pāti Māori | Subsidized or free primary care (GP visits, prescriptions) and targeted support to alleviate cost-of-living pressures for low-income households. | --- ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: 372237fa-8388-4081-9811-c875a223502a Navigating the welfare system with a long-term health condition involves balancing income security with medical and work expectations. For the _2026 New Zealand General Election_ , political parties hold contrasting views on how health-related benefits (such as Supported Living Payment or Jobseeker Support with medical deferrals) and work obligations should be managed: * **ACT Party:** Proposed policies focusing on stricter oversight of health and disability benefits. ACT has advocated for requiring independent medical certification via Ministry of Social Development (MSD)-approved doctors rather than a recipient's own general practitioner or specialist, alongside a phased reassessment of existing benefit recipients (starting with mental health-related conditions). The party frames this as targeting a ballooning number of sickness-related beneficiaries to ensure tighter management, though it has faced strong criticism from health and disability advocacy groups over potential barriers and assumptions around mental distress. * **National, Labour, Greens, and Te Pāti Māori:** Other major and parliamentary parties generally approach health support through different lenses—ranging from maintaining current medical exemption frameworks to expanding healthcare access (such as Labour’s proposals around GP visits and prescriptions) or increasing baseline benefit indexation and support for disabled New Zealanders rather than introducing independent MSD-mandated medical gatekeeping. You can compare specific party manifestos and candidate stances directly on platforms like Policy.nz to see detailed breakdowns of their income support and employment commitments. Would you like to explore **specific party manifestos** regarding health-related benefit adjustments, or do you want to look at how **current medical deferral rules** work while you are navigating appointments? ## AI Overviews Answer ID: dc9a8916-451b-4788-9bfc-1bf5fd07b423 For the **2026 New Zealand general election** , political parties have starkly different approaches to income support, work obligations, and healthcare access for people dealing with long-term health conditions. Here is a direct comparison of how the major political parties propose to alter income support settings and work expectations if they win the election. * * * Comparison of Key Party Policies Political Party| Stance on Income Support / Benefits| Stance on Work Obligations & Sanctions| Key Health & Appointment Policies ---|---|---|--- **National Party**| Focuses on a **"firm but fair"** welfare safety net. Intends to lower benefit rates for some long-term recipients and increase the main benefit residency requirement from 2 to 5 years.| Emphasizes active job seeking for work-ready claimants. Uses a **traffic light system** for sanctions and introduces **random drug testing** for job seekers.| Pledges a **$604M funding boost to Pharmac** to increase access to life-saving medications and treatments. **Labour Party**| Promises to **end annual benefit reviews** for individuals with permanent, verified conditions so they do not face repetitive reassessments.| Focuses on supportive, voluntary pathways into open employment rather than expanding punitive sanctions.| Introduces the **Medicard system offering 3 free GP visits per year** , completely removes the $5 prescription co-payment, and ensures free cervical screenings. **Green Party**| Proposes replacing existing core benefits with a **"Citizen's Income" of up to $370/week** , supplemented by specific top-up funds for disabled individuals or those with health conditions.| Pledges to **abolish all benefit sanctions** and reform the system to eliminate the "love tax" (partnered means testing).| Intends to significantly expand funding to transition to fully publicly owned, **free universal diagnosis and GP clinics**. **ACT New Zealand**| Emphasizes reducing welfare dependency. Opposes large main benefit increases and seeks to tighten financial eligibility.| Supports **strengthened and more strictly enforced work obligations** to decrease overall reliance on state assistance.| Focuses heavily on health infrastructure, pledging to build dedicated regional **cancer centers**. **Te Pāti Māori**| Advocates for **canceling all income-support-related debt** owed to the Crown and ensuring emergency grants do not have to be repaid.| Opposes punitive obligations, supporting **poverty-reduction and income-guarantee policies**.| Proposes creating a **Māori-led authority** to design and oversee unified disability and health support services. * * * Key Voting Impacts for Your Situation * **If your condition is permanent:** **Labour** specifically targets your administrative burden by eliminating repetitive annual medical reviews. * **If you face complex medical costs:** The **Greens** aim to absorb disability and health-related costs entirely outside of relationship-status barriers, while **Labour’s** Medicard targets lowering the immediate cost of your GP appointments. * **If you are classified under Jobseeker (Health Condition/Injury):** **National** and **ACT** are introducing stricter compliance frameworks (like drug testing and benefit rate adjustments) for those deemed "work-ready," though medical exemptions generally protect those entirely unable to work. * * * If you would like to explore this further, tell me: * Whether your current income support is under **Jobseeker Support (Health Condition or Injury)** or the **Supported Living Payment**. * If **partnered means testing** (how much your partner earns) impacts your current support. I can give you a deeper look at exactly how those specific rules would shift under a new government.