Example - partner gets a different main benefit
A married, civil union or de facto client is getting half the married, civil union or de facto rate of New Zealand Superannuation, and their partner is getting half the married, civil union or de facto rate of Emergency Benefit.
The couple have joint assets of $720.00.
Weekly Chargeable income | Weekly Allowable costs | ||
Net amount of half the married, civil union or de facto rate of New Zealand Superannuation (before any deduction) as at 1 April 2026 | $427.04 | Rent - Kāinga Ora rent $175.00 less $34.13 accommodation deduction as at 1 April 2026 | $140.87 |
Net amount of half the married, civil union or de facto rate of Emergency Benefit (before any deduction) as at 1 April 2026 | $316.97 | Vehicle repayments | $75.00 |
Washing machine | $25.00 | ||
Total chargeable income | $744.01 | Total allowable costs | $240.87 |
Calculate the disposable income
Chargeable income | $744.01 |
Less Allowable costs | $240.87 |
Equals Disposable income | $503.14 |
Calculate the deficiency
70% of the net rate of half the married, civil union or de facto rate of New Zealand Superannuation (as at 1 April 2026), plus 70% of the net rate of half the married, civil union or de facto rate of Emergency Benefit (as at 1 April 2026) | $520.79 |
Less Disposable income | $503.14 |
Equals Deficiency | $17.65 |
Calculate the upper limit and compare to the deficiency
Upper limit 30% of the net rate of half the married, civil union or de facto rate of New Zealand Superannuation (as at 1 April 2026) plus 30% of the net rate of half the married, civil union or de facto rate of Emergency Benefit (as at 1 April 2026) | $223.20 |
Deficiency | $17.65 |
Compare: the upper limit to the deficiency. The rate for Temporary Additional Support is the lesser amount unless the client qualifies for a disability exception amount. | $17.65 |
Rate of payment for Temporary Additional Support | $17.65 deficiency |
In this case the deficiency is less than the upper limit. The client cannot qualify for a disability exception amount as the deficiency is the lesser amount.
