Exempt assets

Assets exempt from the means assessment of assets are as follows:

• any interest in a residential dwelling that is the principal place of residence of the client's partner or dependent child (unless the client has elected the higher asset threshold through the election process).
• any interest in one car or similar vehicle that is for the use of the client's partner or dependent child (unless the client has elected the higher asset threshold through the election process).
• any compensatory or ex gratia payments from any country to a client or their partner (if any) because they were a prisoner of war, civilian internee or a victim of persecution of any country during the Second World War or were a dependent child of someone that was
• Crown funds provided directly to clients to purchase Support Services and Direct Disability Support payments
• MSD lump sum payments for the first 12 months after the payment is made
• Christchurch mosques attack support payments
• specified Ex gratia and Compensation payments
• pre-paid funeral trust funds or accounts for the client and their partner up to the value of $10,000 each
• payments to victims of crime and their families administered by Victim Support
• payments made by the Canterbury Earthquake Commission (Red Cross) are:
  • exempt as an asset for a period of 48 months from the day after the payment is made, if the client intends to use the payment to repair or rebuild the home, or purchase a further home or
  • exempt as an asset for a period of 12 months from the day after the payment is made in all other cases
• payments from the Earthquake Commission and insurance companies for rebuilding or repairing the damage to homes caused by the Canterbury Earthquake 2010 (including aftershocks) or the costs of renting temporary accommodation because people can no longer live in their home due to damage from the Canterbury Earthquake 2010 (including aftershocks) are:
  • exempt as an asset for a period of 48 months from the day after the payment is made, if the client intends to use the payment to repair or rebuild the home, or purchase a further home or
  • exempt as an asset for a period of 12 months from the day after the payment is made in all other cases
• payments or part payments from the Crown for the purchase of property in the Canterbury red zone that are made on or after 23 June 2011 are:
  • exempt for a period of 48 months from the day after the last payment is made for their home and land, where the client intends to use the payment to repair or rebuild the home, or purchase another home
• Payments of arrears to Special Benefit clients better off on Temporary Additional Support for the first 12 months after the payment is made
• funds locked into KiwiSaver and other retirement scheme accounts
• an ACC lump sum payment or a lump sum payment of an Independence Allowance made to a client. This exemption applies only in the first 12 months after the payment is made.
• personal belongings such as clothing and jewellery, personal collectibles, or family treasure/taonga such as art, books, stamps, antiques
• household appliances and furniture and effects
• Payments of Accommodation Supplement arrears due to system processing error from 1993 to 2014
• Payments to clients whose Housing New Zealand tenancy was terminated due to methamphetamine contamination for the first 12 months after the payment is made
• Residential Care Subsidy historic review refunds for the first 12 months after the payment is made
• severe weather event payments for the first 12 months from when payment is received (and any interest earned on the payment)
• FamilyBoost Tax Credit payments for the first 12 months after payment is received