Sole parent rate of Accommodation Benefit
Eligible sole parents get the sole parent rate of Accommodation Benefit.
They are the same as the Accommodation Supplement rates payable to eligible recipients of Sole Parent Support. They are calculated in exactly the same way using the same policy and methodology.
The sole parent rate of Accommodation Benefit was first payable for study starting on or after 1 July 2015.
Sole parents who are not eligible for a sole parent rate of Accommodation Benefit, are not eligible for a standard rate of Accommodation Benefit.
Overseas study
Eligible sole parent students who are studying overseas get the sole parent rate of Accommodation Benefit for the New Zealand location of their education provider.
Extramural study
Eligible sole parent students who are studying extramurally get the sole parent rate Accommodation Benefit for the region where they live.
Calculating the sole parent Accommodation Benefit rate
Eligibility
The sole parent rate of Accommodation Benefit is only payable to eligible students who have a supported child or children.
Cash assets
A sole parent student must not have cash assets that exceed:
- $16,200
For more information see:
- Accommodation Supplement Cash assets
Weekly qualifying accommodation costs
The sole parent rate of Accommodation Supplement is assessed using a client’s weekly qualifying accommodation costs. This is calculated by reducing the accommodation costs (rent, board or home ownership) by the cost of any part of the property not lived in and any accommodation income they get.
For more information see:
- Accommodation Supplement Accommodation costs
- Accommodation Supplement Weekly qualifying accommodation costs
Entry threshold
The type of accommodation cost a sole parent has will determine the minimum entry threshold to be eligible for a sole parent rate of Accommodation Benefit.
An eligible sole parent must have weekly qualifying accommodation costs that meet or exceed the minimum entry threshold for the applicable accommodation cost.
Minimum entry threshold rates as at 1 April 2026:
- rent or board $168.00
- mortgage $202.00
Area and Maximum rates
The rate of sole parent Accommodation Benefit depends on what 'area' the sole parent lives in. New Zealand has been divided into 4 areas, each with its own maximum rate.
The maximum rate for each area is also dependent on the amount of the sole parent's accommodation costs and whether they have 1 child, or 2 or more children.
If a sole parent's accommodation costs exceed the maximum rate for the area they live in, they can only get the maximum rate for that area.
For more information see:
For more information see:
Legislation
- Eligibility for accommodation benefit regulation 9 Student Allowances Regulations 1998
- Amount of allowances to be paid to students regulation 18 Student Allowances Regulations 1998
- Amount of accommodation benefit for single student with supported child regulation 24A Student Allowances Regulations 1998
- sole parent (definition) schedule 2 Social Security Act 2018
