Partners

Partners of clients getting Residential Care Subsidy or Residential Support Subsidy are treated as single, and need to apply and qualify for a card in their own right.

Partners of clients who are tenants of social housing or are getting an Accommodation Supplement may get a card if they meet the residence criteria.

A New Zealand Superannuation client whose partner gets an income tested benefit is automatically entitled to a Community Services Card, and is not income tested separately.

If a client is entitled to a card and has a partner, their partner can also get a Community Services Card if they meet the residence criteria and are ordinarily resident in New Zealand.

Partners of clients who get weekly income compensation from Veteran's Affairs will have to apply for a card in their own right.

The partner's income is included in the client's family unit, unless either partner is getting Residential Care Subsidy.