Special Disability Allowance

A Special Disability Allowance can be paid to the partner of a client in hospital or residential care who is receiving a reduced rate of New Zealand Superannuation or receiving Residential Care Subsidy.

It is paid to the partner in the community to help with extra costs because of their partner's hospitalisation.

No application form is needed, and it is not income or asset tested.

Special Disability Allowance should be stopped from the first available date if the person receiving it is also admitted to hospital or residential care.

Note if a Veteran's Pension client is in hospital for more than 13 weeks their payments are not reduced to the hospital rate and their partner cannot get Special Disability Allowance. This is because Veteran's Pension is not affected by hospitalisation.

For the rate of Special Disability Allowance see:

• Deskfile Special Disability Allowance rates