Contents
Recoverable Assistance Payment tables : Contents

Category limits (current)

Below are the payment categories and maximum limits for Recoverable Assistance Payments at 1 July 2025. These limits can be exceeded only in exceptional circumstances.

If you want to make a payment for an item not on the list, please contact Helpline.

Category

Maximum limit

Ambulance subscription fees

$200

Assignment, subletting or ending a tenancy early

$200

Attendance at funerals and tangihanga

$200

Beds, chairs and tables

$200

Car repairs

$400

Child restraints for motor vehicles, and safety helmets

$200

Clothing

single without children

$150

couple without children

$300

sole parent or couple with children

$400

Dentures and hearing aids

$1,000

Driver licences

renewal

clients 65 years or under

$32.40

clients 66 or 67 years

$22.60

client 68 or 69 years

$19.00

client 70 or 71 years

$14.80

client 72 or 73 years

$10.80

client 74 years

$9.00

client 75 years or over

$21.50

new

learner licence

class 1

$96.10

class 2, 3 or 5

$77.50

class 4

$27.10

class 6

$90.60

restricted licence

class 1

$167.50

class 6

$54.20

full licence

class 1

$98.90

class 2, 3, 4 or 5

$39.80

class 6

$47.40

re-sit fee

learner licence

class 1

$54.60

restricted licence

$102.80

full licence

$71.90

driver licence test reschedule fee

$16.40

reinstatement of driver licence

$48.00

Electricity, gas or water

$200

Fire loss or burglary

$1,000

Fridges, freezers and washing machines (whiteware)

at rates set in the preferred supplier arrangement

Glasses

if a client lives in an urban area with a preferred supplier

$280

if a client lives in a non-coverage area and chooses to use a non-preferred supplier

$1,000

Other emergency payments

$200

School costs

$200

School stationery

$200

School uniforms (for each dependent child)

$300

Telephone installation

$200

Tenancy tribunal fees

$28

Travel for stranded persons

$200

Note 1

The guideline limits did not change from 26 April 2005 to 1 April 2007. The only change at 1 April 2007 was the inclusion of de facto couples as a category.

Note 2

The guideline limits did not change from 1 April 2000 to 26 April 2005. The only change at 26 April 2005 was the inclusion of civil union couples as a category.