Ongoing assistance for surviving partner
The effect the client's death will have on the surviving partner's payments will depend on whether the surviving partner is:
- qualified in their own right or
- a grandparented non qualified partner
Qualified in own right
When the surviving partner qualifies for Veteran's Pension in their own right, they can receive the single sharing accommodation rate or the single living alone rate from the day after their partner's death. Any Extra help should then be adjusted to the appropriate single rate.
The rate of payment will depend on whether they:
- are sharing accommodation with any person aged 18 years or over who is not a dependent child, or a visitor who stays less than 13 weeks in any 26 week period or
- meet all the qualifications for the single living alone rate
The surviving partner may also qualify for a pension from New Zealand Veterans' Affairs if the veteran's death was service related and they were getting a war disablement pension. This may affect any Extra help they receive.
For more information see:
Note when the surviving client qualifies for Veteran's Pension in their own right and receives the single sharing accommodation or single living alone rate from the day after their partner's death, the deceased client is paid the payments they were getting at the date of their death. This includes if they were being paid the full amount of Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support or Winter Energy Payment for the couple.
Grandparented non qualified partner with no dependent children
When there are no dependent children, the surviving grandparented non qualified partner must apply for an appropriate benefit, in their own right.
The surviving partner may be granted a new benefit (instead of terminal benefit) from the day after their partner's death if they will get more money.
Grandparented non qualified partner with dependent children
When a qualifying Veteran's Pension client dies and the surviving partner has a dependent child, they may be able to receive Sole Parent Support or Jobseeker Support, depending on the age of their youngest dependent child.
The surviving partner or dependent children of a veteran may qualify for pensions from New Zealand Veterans' Affairs. Check that the partner or caregiver for the dependent children has made contact with New Zealand Veterans' Affairs to find out about possible entitlement.
Note there is no initial stand-down when a partner applies for Sole Parent Support or Jobseeker Support within 28 days of the client's death. When the partner 28 days or more after the death of the client, there will be an initial stand-down.
Delay in granting ACC payments
When the death was the result of an accident, the surviving partner may be able to get weekly compensation payments from ACC.
If there will be a delay in deciding their claim, the partner can apply for a benefit while they are waiting.
The surviving partner must acknowledge, in writing, that benefit payments made will be refunded once weekly compensation payments are granted from ACC.
