Hostel - Accommodation Benefit

Eligible students who live in a recognised student hostel or boarding school get the standard rate of Accommodation Benefit applicable to that hostel, up to the maximum rate payable of $60.

Note the change to the standard rate of Accommodation Benefit calculation from 1 January 2023, does not affect hostel-based accommodation rates.

Example

Elizabeth is an intramural student at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch and lives in Christchurch City at a recognised student hostel.

Christchurch City has a standard Accommodation Benefit rate, however Elizabeth gets the rate for the specific hostel she stays at, even though it is lower than the standard Accommodation Benefit rate for Christchurch.