Income assessment - rural assistance
When assessing income the first $160.00 gross of the client's income (includes income of a partner) does not affect the rate of the rural assistance payment.
The gross income over $160.00 reduces the rural assistance payment by $1.00 for each complete $1.00 received. Do not include family tax credit payments.
Example
gross weekly income | $250.00 |
less income allowed before payment is affected | $160.00 |
Equals income (to be deducted from rural assistance payment) | $90.00 |
Rural assistance payment (couple, without children as at 1 April 2026) | $633.94 |
less income | $90.00 |
Weekly rural assistance payment payable | $543.94 |
Note the rate of New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension a client (including their partner) gets, must also be included as income when assessing rural assistance payments for these clients.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Grants to Farmers, Orchardists etc. clause 18.8 Special Needs Grant Programme
