Paying for heating

If you're ill or have a disability, you can apply for help with the cost of heating your home. What you can get depends on your circumstances and also your income and assets.

What you can get help with

You can get help with:

  • paying your heating bills
  • buying a heater or firewood
  • installing insulation.

How to ask for government help

If you’re ill or have a disability

If your disability or illness means your heating bills are higher than is usual for a household of the same size, you can apply to Work and Income for a Disability Allowance to help with the extra costs of running your home.

Disability Allowance

If you’re a tenant, your landlord may be able to apply for an insulation grant. If you own your own home, you may be able to add the cost of insulation to your mortgage or get a discount.

Paying for home insulation

You may be able to get other financial help from the government if you’re over 65.

Government help with healthcare over 65

If you’re on a low income

If you cannot afford firewood or a heater, you can apply for help to pay for them.

If you’re already on a benefit or get NZ Super or a Veteran’s Pension, tell Work and Income you’d like to apply for an Advance Payment of Benefit. You have to pay this back and the maximum you get is $300.

Advance Payment of Benefit

Otherwise if you are not getting a benefit, tell Work and Income you’d like to apply for a Recoverable Assistance Payment. You have to pay this back and the maximum you can ask for is $200.

Recoverable Assistance Payment

If you’re a tenant your landlord may be able to apply for an insulation grant. You must have a Community Services Card. If you own your own home, you may be able to add the cost of insulation to your mortgage.

Paying for home insulation

You may be able to get other government help if you’re over 65.

Financial help and benefits over 65

Winter Energy Payment

The Winter Energy Payment is an extra payment to help with the cost of heating your home over the winter months.

Winter Energy Payment

This payment is available to people receiving/getting a main benefit, NZ Super, and Veteran’s Pension. You do not need to apply for it. If you are eligible you will receive this automatically.

If you cannot get government help

65 years or older

Your SuperGold Card offers discounts that could help with heating, eg firewood, insulation or heat pumps.

SuperGold: directory

Utility links and page information

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