Paying at a higher rate

You can make payment at a rate higher than the hospital rate where the client's continuing costs cannot be met by the hospital rate of payment and any other income they receive. Take into consideration:

• the client's financial commitments and
• access to other income

If a client is required to make Child Support payments and does not qualify for an exemption from Inland Revenue Child Support, increase the rate of payment to the hospital rate plus any Child Support payments that are required to be apportioned from the client's payments.

If the client's rate of payment should be paid at a rate that is lower than the hospital rate, do not increase the rate to the hospital rate (or any other higher rate).

For example, do not pay a higher rate if the client is to receive a lower rate because of:

• the client's income
• maintenance deductions or
• overseas pension deductions

For more information about paying at a higher rate see:

• Guidelines for paying a higher rate