Qualified client with a partner in long-term residential care
A client who is living in the community and whose partner is in long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital, can get the single sharing accommodation or the single living alone rate of New Zealand Superannuation.
The rate of payment will depend on if they:
- share their accommodation with any person aged 18 years or over, other than a dependent child or a visitor who stays more than 13 weeks in any 26 week period or
- meet all the qualifications for the single living alone rate
Partner is in long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital at the client's entitlement date
The single sharing accommodation or single living alone rate can be paid from the date the New Zealand Superannuation commences when the partner is in long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital at the client's entitlement date.
Client is already getting New Zealand Superannuation when partner enters long-term residential care in a rest-home or hospital
The single sharing accommodation rate or single living alone rate can be paid from the date the partner enters long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital.
Special Disability Allowance
Special Disability Allowance can be paid to the client in the community to help with extra costs due to their partner being in long-term residential care and their partner is getting Residential Care Subsidy.
Rate of payment for partner in care
There is no change to the rate of payment for the partner in care, they continue to get the half married, civil union or de facto rate of New Zealand Superannuation.
For more information see:
- Single living alone rate
- Single rate for couples
- SWIFTT process - single rate for partner in the community
- Grandparented non-qualified partner with a partner in residential care
- Effective date of review due to change in relationship
- Living Alone Payment before 2 September 2013
- Extra Help Special Disability Allowance
- Extra Help Residential Care Subsidy
Legislation
- Entitlement to benefits for spouses or partners of persons in long-term residential care in hospital or rest home section 17 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001
- Appropriate rate for spouses or partners of persons in long-term residential care in hospital or rest home section 18 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001
- Special Disability Allowance: entitlement in special circumstances section 89 Social Security Act 2018
