Examples - New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension partner gets different benefit
Example 1
A couple lives in Area 1 with no children and pays $400.00 per week in rent. The client gets New Zealand Superannuation and is applying for Accommodation Supplement, while their partner currently gets Jobseeker Support.
Determine the entry threshold for a couple with no children, see: Entry thresholds and maximum rates
The entry threshold for a married couple with no children on these different benefits, paying rent is $186.00 (as at 1 April 2026).
Using the following calculation, the couple's rate of Accommodation Supplement can be assessed.
Accommodation costs (Rent) | $400.00 |
Less cost of part of property not lived in | $0 |
Less accommodation income | $0 |
$400.00 | |
Less entry threshold (as at 1 April 2026) | $186.00 |
Equals | $214.00 |
The couple is eligible for up to 70% of $214.00 | |
Multiply $214.00 x 0.70 | $149.80 |
Round up to the nearest whole dollar | $150.00 |
Check the regional maximum Accommodation Supplement payable to the couple. For Auckland (Area 1) this is $235.00 per week (as at 1 April 2026).
The couple will receive $150.00 per week. This is less than the maximum payment.
Use DREW or manually calculate the rate of Accommodation Supplement payable to the couple and pay the full amount to the client.
Note if the partner is already getting Accommodation Supplement, halve the amount and add a manual rate to each client's SWIFTT record.
Example 2
A couple lives in Area 1 with 2 children and pays $800.00 per week for their mortgage. The client is getting Veteran's Pension and their partner is working, earning $500.00 gross per week.
As the earnings from employment are below the income limit for a couple ($1,076.04 gross per week, as at 1 April 2026), the client can get Accommodation Supplement. For more information see: Income limit
Determine the entry threshold for a couple with 2 children, see: Entry thresholds and maximum rates
Use the entry threshold for a couple with children on different benefits paying a mortgage, for a client receiving New Zealand Superannuation/Veteran's Pension with a non-beneficiary partner this is $274.00 per week (as at 1 April 2026).
Using the following calculation, the couple's rate of Accommodation Supplement can be assessed.
Accommodation costs (Mortgage) | $800.00 |
Less cost of part of property not lived in | $0 |
Less accommodation income | $0 |
$800.00 | |
Less entry threshold (as at 1 April 2026) | $274.00 |
Equals | $526.00 |
The couple is eligible for up to 70% of $526.00 | |
Multiply $526.00 x 0.70 | $368.20 |
Round up to nearest whole dollar | $369.00 |
Check the regional maximum Accommodation Supplement payable to the couple. For Area 1 this is $305.00 per week (as at 1 April 2026).
Because the maximum rate payable is less than the calculated rate, the couple will be paid the maximum rate.
Manually calculate Accommodation Supplement payable to the couple and pay the full amount to the client.
Note if the partner is already getting Accommodation Supplement, halve the amount and add a manual rate to each client's SWIFTT record.
