Partners with other income

There is no 'married, civil union or de facto' rate of payment for an Emergency Benefit paid for clients caring for a person. The client's partner will either qualify for a benefit in their own right or have some other form of income.

However, when you assess the rate of payment for the client you must take the clients and their partner's income into account.

Charging income (for a couple) against an Emergency Benefit paid to a client caring for a person, is generally the same way as for Supported Living Payment (caring for a person).

You use Income Test 2

Income is charged weekly at the following rates:

• 15 cents is taken from the benefit for each dollar of income the client (and their partner) earns over $160 per week, but not more than $250 per week (as at 1 April 2022)
• 35 cents for every dollar of income more than $250 per week (as at 1 April 2022)

To assess the rate payable you:

• charge the income as if both the client and their partner qualify for Emergency Benefit in their own right (ie against 2 benefits)
• add the 2 benefit payments together
• compare this total with the maximum rate of Emergency Benefit payable (this is based on the maximum rate payable to a client getting Supported Living Payment - caring for a person) and
• pay the lesser amount

Note a different way of charging income applies when a person is getting Emergency Benefit because they are caring for their New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension partner. See: Charging income - caring for New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension partner