Ongoing assistance for surviving partner
The effect the client's death will have on the surviving partner's payments will depend on whether the surviving partner:
- qualifies in their own right or
- is included in New Zealand Superannuation as a grandparented non-qualifying partner; or
- gets a main benefit
Qualified in own right
When the surviving partner qualifies for New Zealand Superannuation in their own right, they can get the single sharing accommodation rate or the single living alone rate from the day after their partner's death. Any ongoing extra help should then be adjusted to the appropriate single rate.
The rate of payment will depend on whether they:
- are sharing accommodation with any person aged 18 years or over who is not a dependent child or a visitor who stays less than 13 weeks in any 26 week period or
- meet all the qualifications for the single living alone rate
For more information see:
- Single sharing accommodation rate
- Single living alone rate
- Effective date of review due to change in relationship
Note when the surviving client qualifies for New Zealand Superannuation in their own right and gets the single sharing accommodation or single living alone rate from the day after their partner's death, the deceased client is paid the payments they were getting at the date of their death. This includes if they were being paid the full amount of Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support or Winter Energy Payment for the couple.
Grandparented non-qualifying partner with no dependent children
When there are no dependent children, the surviving partner must apply for the appropriate benefit, in their own right. The surviving partner may be granted a new benefit (instead of terminal benefit) from the day after their partner's death if they will get more money.
Grandparented non-qualifying partner with dependent children
When a qualifying New Zealand Superannuation client dies and the surviving partner has a dependent child, they may be able to get Sole Parent Support, Jobseeker Support or Supported Living Payment depending on the age of the youngest dependent child.
Note there is no initial stand-down when a partner applies for Sole Parent Support or Jobseeker Support within 28 days of the client's death. When the partner applies 28 days or more after the death of the client, there will be an initial stand-down.
Delay in granting ACC payments
When the death was the result of an accident, the surviving partner may be able to get weekly compensation payments from ACC. If there will be a delay in deciding their claim, the partner can apply for a benefit while waiting. The surviving partner must acknowledge, in writing, that benefit payments made will be refunded once weekly compensation payments are granted.
