Summary rates of payment
The following rates and benefit types are paid to the partner living in the community when a client enters long-term residential care in a hospital or rest home:
Partner living in the community currently gets | Benefit or Pension type and rate paid when their partner enters care | May qualify for the single living alone rate? | May qualify for a Special Disability Allowance? |
New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension in their own right | Single sharing accommodation rate of New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension | Yes | Yes (if partner in care is eligible for Residential Care Subsidy) |
New Zealand Superannuation as a grandparented non-qualified partner who was included before 1 October 1991 | Single sharing accommodation rate of New Zealand Superannuation | Yes | Yes (if partner in care is eligible for Residential Care Subsidy) |
New Zealand Superannuation as a grandparented non-qualified partner included in New Zealand Superannuation on or after 1 October 1991 | Emergency Benefit paid at the Supported Living Payment single or sole parent rate depending on their circumstances | No | Yes (if partner in care is eligible for Residential Care Subsidy) |
Veterans Pension as a grandparented non-qualified partner | Single sharing accommodation rate of Veterans Pension | Yes | Yes (if partner in care is eligible for Residential Care Subsidy) |
Any other benefit apart from New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension | Emergency Benefit paid at the Supported Living Payment single or sole parent rate depending on their circumstances | No | Yes (if partner in care is eligible for Residential Care Subsidy) |
Note if the client in care is getting Residential Care Subsidy, any income that is included in the means assessment of income is not charged against New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension (when they are income tested) or Emergency Benefit.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Entitlement to benefits for spouses or partners of persons in long-term residential care in hospital or rest home section 17(3) New Zealand Superannuation Act 2001
- Entitlement to veterans' pension for spouses or partners of persons in long-term residential care in hospital or rest home section 173(3) Veteran's Support Act 2014
