Commencement date

The commencement date for the Community Services Card is:

• the date the client became eligible for a benefit
• for clients with children, 3 months before the date on which the application for the card was received
• for low income earners without dependent children, New Zealand superannuation clients and students:
  • 28 days before the application was received or
  • the date the client became eligible to receive the card

whichever is the later date

• for clients in residential care: the date the client commenced receiving residential care disability services

Clients can make a verbal application for the Community Services Card but will need to formalise this within 20 working days by completing a Community Services Card Application form.

For more information see:

• Application for assistance