Example - partner overseas long-term
A client without children is getting the half couple's rate of Jobseeker Support because their partner is looking for work overseas.
The client's partner has been out of New Zealand for more than 28 days. They intend to find work and stay out of New Zealand long term. The partner is not currently working.
Once the client's partner is earning income overseas, the client's eligibility for Temporary Additional Support will need to be reassessed.
The couple have joint assets of $450.00.
Weekly chargeable income | Weekly allowable costs | ||
Half of the full net rate of Jobseeker Support for a couple | $316.97 | Weekly qualifying accommodation costs (Kāinga Ora rent $75.00) less $34.13 accommodation deduction (as at 1 April 2026) | $40.87 |
Disability Allowance (as at 1 April 2026) | $82.85 | Disability Allowance costs | $100.00 |
Washing machine | $30.00 | ||
Vehicle repayments | $80.00 | ||
Stove | $25.00 | ||
Total chargeable income | $399.82 | Total allowable costs | $275.87 |
Step 1
Calculate the disposable income
Chargeable income | $399.82 |
Less Allowable costs | $275.87 |
Equals Disposable income | $123.95 |
Step 2
Calculate the deficiency
70% of the full net rate of main benefit, paid at half the couple's rate ($633.94 divided by 2 = $316.97 x 70% as at 1 April 2026) | $221.87 |
Less disposable income | $123.95 |
Equals income deficiency | $97.92 |
Step 3
Calculate the client's upper limit for Temporary Additional Support then compare this amount to the deficiency
Upper limit 30% of the full net couple's rate of Jobseeker Support ($633.94 divided by 2 = $316.97 x 30% as at 1 April 2026) | $95.09 |
Income deficiency (from step 2) | $97.92 |
Compare the upper limit to the income deficiency. The rate for Temporary Additional Support is the lesser of the income deficiency or the upper limit unless the client qualifies for a disability exception amount | $95.09 |
If the income deficiency is less than the upper limit, the rate of payment for Temporary Additional Support is the income deficiency.
In this case, the upper limit is less than the income deficiency therefore the client may qualify for the disability exception amount.
Step 4
Determine if the client qualifies for a disability exception amount. If the client qualifies for a disability exception amount, calculate the excess disability costs.
In this case, the client qualifies for a disability exception amount because the upper limit is less than the client's income deficiency and the client has Disability Allowance costs in excess of the maximum amount of Disability Allowance paid.
Step 4(a) - Calculate the excess disability costs total
Total all of the Disability Allowance costs for each family member (including any child for whom Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit is paid) who has costs that exceed the maximum amount of Disability Allowance paid | $100.00 |
Less the maximum rate of Disability Allowance (as at 1 April 2026) paid for each family member (including any child for whom Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit is paid) who is getting the maximum amount of Disability Allowance | $82.85 |
$17.15 |
The excess disability costs total must not include any costs for counselling (including the costs of transport to attend counselling) that are above the maximum rate of Disability Allowance.
Step 4(b) - Calculate the excess total costs
Excess total costs is the deficiency that is not already covered by the upper limit of Temporary Additional Support.
Income deficiency (from step 2) | $97.92 |
Less the upper limit of Temporary Additional Support | $95.09 |
Excess total costs | $2.83 |
Step 4(c) - Calculate applicable excess costs
The client's applicable excess costs is the lesser amount of their:
- excess disability costs total and
- excess total costs
Excess disability costs total (step 4a) | $17.15 |
Excess total costs (step 4b) | $2.83 |
Applicable excess costs (lesser amount of $17.15 or $2.83) | $2.83 |
Step 4(d) - Calculate the disability exception amount using the client's applicable excess costs
The disability exception amount provides a full subsidy for a client's applicable excess costs amount of up to $100.00.
If the client has any applicable excess costs remaining after the full subsidy has been applied, these are subsidised at 30% of the remaining applicable excess costs amount.
Applicable excess costs amount will be fully subsidised up to $100.00 | $2.83 |
Find 30% of remaining balance of applicable excess costs not covered above (if any) | n/a |
Disability exception amount | $2.83 |
Step 5
Calculate the rate of Temporary Additional Support.
Upper limit (from step 3) | $95.09 |
Plus Disability exception amount (from step 4) | $2.83 |
Equals Rate of Temporary Additional Support | $97.92 |
The rate of payment for Temporary Additional Support is $97.92 (as at 1 April 2026).
For more information see:
Legislation
- When MSD must apply 4-week rule regulation 143 Social Security Regulations 2018
- MSD may refuse or cancel benefit if person not ordinarily resident in New Zealand section 204 Social Security Act 2018
