People in long term care

When clients are in long-term care and they receive Residential Care Subsidy or Residential Support Subsidy they are not entitled to the Winter Energy Payment.

However, for married, civil union or de facto couples, where the partner is still living in the community and they meet all other criteria, they can receive the full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment.

Single clients

If a client does not qualify for Residential Care Subsidy or Residential Support Subsidy but is living in long term residential care, they can get Winter Energy Payment. A single client will get the single rate of Winter Energy Payment.

Couples

For married, civil union or de facto couples, if the partner is in residential care but not getting Residential Care Subsidy or Residential Support Subsidy, they are eligible to get (or continue to get) the Winter Energy Payment. When the Winter Energy Payment is not paid equally to both people (eg clients receiving New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension), it is likely that the full couple rate will be paid to the person living in the community.