Hospitalisation

When a veteran is admitted to hospital, their Veteran's Pension continues at the full rate and is not reduced after they have been in hospital for more than 13 weeks. This also applies to the partner of a veteran who is included as a grandparented non-qualified partner.

Note the partner of a veteran cannot have their payments increased or get Special Disability Allowance when the veteran is hospitalised.

The partner of a veteran who is getting a main benefit (except Young Parent Payment) or New Zealand Superannuation will have their benefit or pension reduced to the hospital rate if they are in hospital for more than 13 weeks. If the veteran is also in hospital, their Veteran's Pension will continue at the full rate.

If the veteran is not in hospital, their Veteran's Pension must be increased by the difference between the maximum half married rate and the maximum single or single living alone rate of Veteran's Pension. Special Disability Allowance must also be paid.

Note if the hospitalised partner's benefit or pension is increased above the hospital rate, the rate paid to the veteran must be adjusted so the total amount paid to the couple does not exceed the maximum rate the couple would have been paid if one partner wasn't hospitalised.

Special Disability Allowance is paid to a client when their partner is in hospital and reduced to the hospital rate. Special Disability Allowance helps the client in the community with the extra costs of their partner's hospitalisation, eg travel costs to visit them in hospital.

Note that Special Disability Allowance is:

• granted without the client having to apply
• paid separately from Disability Allowance and
• not income or asset tested

Special Disability Allowance can start from the date the client in the community starts getting a higher rate of Veteran's Pension, and their partner starts getting a hospital rate of benefit or pension.