Refuge board costs
Sometimes clients who are staying in accommodation provided by a refuge will apply for an Accommodation Supplement to help pay their costs. These clients may currently be getting an Accommodation Supplement or it may be a new application.
Clients can choose:
- to apply for an Accommodation Supplement for refuge board costs or
- continue to have Accommodation Supplement paid for their home (except when a partner remains at home - the partner becomes responsible for the costs of the house)
They cannot get Accommodation Supplement for both.
In this context a refuge is emergency accommodation provided by an agency or organisation. This includes (but is not restricted to) agencies such as Women's Refuge, Home and Family Society, Emergency Housing Trusts, Iwi and cultural organisations, and church organisations.
Accommodation Supplement cannot be paid for both home and refuge accommodation costs.
If the client chooses to have the costs of their home used for Accommodation Supplement purposes:
- continue the Accommodation Supplement for their home while they are at a refuge and
- review the situation after 6 weeks
Payments for the former home when in other emergency housing or transitional housing due to violence
In certain circumstances a client may continue getting Accommodation Supplement for their former home (except when a partner remains at the home) if they are staying in emergency housing or transitional housing due to violence.
For more information see:
Legislation
- accommodation costs (definition) section 65AAA Social Security Act 2018
