Examples of calculating the emergency housing contribution
The emergency housing contribution will be calculated using the higher of the:
- net weekly income calculation of the client and their partner (if any) or
- the net rate of Jobseeker Support that would be appropriate, if the client and their partner were getting this assistance (referred to as the appropriate net rate of Jobseeker Support)
The contribution must be worked out using both methods and the higher amount is selected.
Example 1 - Client on New Zealand Superannuation - single living alone rate
The client meets the criteria for a longer grant of 21 nights' accommodation. This is because the client has secured a new tenancy at a council-owned flat.
The client will move into the flat on 29 July. The Emergency Housing Grant is granted from 8 July to 28 July. This works out at 21 nights' accommodation for the grant.
Note a contribution applies to the entire 21-night period. This is because the client has already been in emergency housing for at least 7 nights for the emergency housing event to qualify for a 21-night grant.
The client's net weekly income is $555.15 (New Zealand Superannuation only, as at 1 April 2026).
The appropriate net rate of Jobseeker Support based on the client's circumstances is Jobseeker Support single rate, 25 years and over, of $372.55 (as at 1 April 2026).
The client's contribution is calculated as follows:
Step 1 | Work out emergency housing contribution using both the net weekly income calculation and the appropriate net rate of Jobseeker Support calculation | $555.15 x 25% = $138.78 $372.55 x 25% = $93.13 Weekly client contribution is $138.78 because it is the higher figure |
Step 2 | Work out the daily rate of client contribution | $138.78 weekly contribution divided by 7 = $19.82 (rounded to nearest cent) to get rounded daily contribution |
Step 3 | Work out the pay period fortnights (in this example it is aligned with pay period for New Zealand Superannuation) | Fortnight 1: 08/07 to 12/07 which is 5 nights Fortnight 2: 13/07 to 26/07 which is 14 nights Fortnight 3: 27/07 to 28/07 which is 2 nights |
Step 4 | Work out the contribution for each fortnight by multiplying the number of nights' accommodation in each fortnight by the rounded daily income. Fortnight 1: 08/07 to 12/07 which is 5 nights Fortnight 2: 13/07 to 26/07 which is 14 nights Fortnight 3: 27/07 to 28/07 which is 2 nights | 5 x $19.82 = $99.10 14 x $19.82 = $277.48 2 x $19.82 = $39.64 Total contribution over 21 nights = $416.22 |
Example 2 - Client is on sole parent rate of Supported Living Payment with one child (no shared care)
The client meets the criteria for a longer grant of 18 nights' accommodation. This is because the client has health needs and has been funded to go overseas for medical treatment. The Emergency Housing Grant is paid from 7 July to 24 July.
Note a contribution applies to the entire 18-night period. This is because the client has already been in emergency housing for at least 7 nights for the emergency housing event to qualify for an 18-night grant.
The client's net weekly income is $581.96 (Supported Living Payment only, as at 1 April 2026). The appropriate net rate of Jobseeker Support based on the client's circumstances is Jobseeker Support sole parent of $521.52 (as at 1 April 2026).
The client's contribution is calculated as follows:
Step 1 | Work out emergency housing contribution based on income using both the net weekly income calculation and the appropriate net rate of Jobseeker Support calculation | $581.96 x 25% = $145.49 $521.52 x 25% = $130.38 Weekly client contribution is $145.49 because it is the higher figure. |
Step 2 | Then add 25% of client's family tax entitlement (as at 1 April 2026) to use for total weekly emergency housing contribution | $151.91 x 25% = $37.97 family tax entitlement for eldest child $145.49 + $37.97 = $183.46 |
Step 3 | Work out the daily rate of client contribution | $183.46 combined weekly income divided by 7 = $26.20 (rounded to nearest cent) to get rounded daily income |
Step 4 | Work out the pay period weeks (in this example it is aligned with pay period for main benefits) | Week 1: 07/07 to 10/07 which is 4 nights Week 2: 11/07 to 17/07 which is 7 nights Week 3: 18/07 to 24/07 which is 7 nights |
Step 5 | Work out the contribution for each week by multiplying the number of nights' accommodation in each week by the rounded daily income: Week 1: 07/07 to 10/07 which is 4 nights Week 2: 11/07 to 17/07 which is 7 nights Week 3: 18/07 to 24/07 which is 7 nights | 4 x $26.20= $104.80 7 x $26.20 = $183.40 7 x $26.20 = $183.40 Total contribution over 18 nights = $471.60 |
For more information see:
- Paying the emergency housing contribution by date or dates determined by MSD
- Calculating the emergency housing contribution
- Calculating the emergency housing contribution using net weekly income
- Calculating the emergency housing contribution using appropriate net rate of Jobseeker Support
- Calculating 25% of family tax credit entitlement for emergency housing contribution
