Supported Living Payment client with New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension partner - income assessment
The gross income of the client and their partner is used to assess the client's rate of Supported Living Payment (for health condition, injury or disability).
The reduction is Income test 2 - half the amount of the abatement that would apply if the couple got Supported Living Payment.
New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension is not included as income for the income test and is not reduced because of the couple's income.
Note a client getting Supported Living Payment due to a health condition, injury, or disability, may qualify for a personal earnings exemption. You must consider any personal earnings exemptions when calculating their income.
For more information see:
Example - Weekly income
Partner 1 is getting Supported Living Payment at the half-married rate.
Partner 2 is getting the half-married rate of New Zealand Superannuation.
The couple's weekly income is $455 gross and they have no dependent children.
Partner 1 qualifies for a personal earnings exemption of $20 a week.
Couple's gross income | $455.00 |
Less personal earnings exemption | $20.00 |
Less income allowed before benefit is affected | $160.00 |
Equals income that will affect benefit | $275.00 |
Reduction is 15 cents per $1 of income over $160 up to $250 ($90 x 0.15) | $13.50 |
and 35 cents per $1 of income over $250 ($185 x 0.35) | $64.75 |
Reduction applied to Partner 1's Supported Living Payment only | $78.25 |
Note this example also applies to a Supported Living Payment with a Veteran's Pension partner.
Legislation
- Rates of benefits: Supported living payment Schedule 4, Part 3 Social Security Act 2018
- Rates of benefits: Supported living payment and veterans pension Schedule 4, Part 3, clause 1(e) Social Security Act 2018
- Income test 2 (definition) Schedule 2 Social Security Act 2018
