Financial help for people with a disability or illness
If you have a disability or illness you might be able to get an allowance, subsidy or loan to help with your expenses. Financial assistance is available for all citizens.
Home
Modifications like hand rails or a ramp can improve safety and help you manage more easily in your home.
Carer Support provides reimbursement of some of the costs of using a support person to care and support a disabled person. This means their carer can take some time out for themselves.
Work
You may be able to get a Modification Grant if you need equipment or to adapt your work space due to a disability or illness.
The Mainstream Employment Programme provides a package of subsidies, training and support to help people with significant disabilities to gain sustainable employment.
Transport
A mobility parking permit means you can use parks that are wider and closer to venues.
Work and Income can help with the cost of buying or modifying a vehicle.
Total Mobility subsidises door-to-door transport services by taxi and specialist transport operators for people with impairments so they can take part in their community.
Grants funded by Lotto provide and modify mobility scooters, cars or vans for people with disabilities who want to be more closely involved in their communities.
Civilian Amputee Assistance pays for the cost of getting to an Artificial Limb Centre, and can include meals and accommodation.
If your partner gets a Residential Care Subsidy, you will get a Special Disability Allowance to help with the cost of visiting your partner.
Communication equipment
Grants funded by Lotto provide communication equipment, such as assistance software and smart phones, for people with disabilities who want to be more closely involved in their communities.
If you’re a caregiver or partner
You might be able to get money to help with caring for someone at home who has a disability, illness or health problems because of old age.
Caring for someone with a health condition, injury or illness
If your partner moves into a rest home or hospital, you can get financial help to stay in your home, look after your own health and visit your partner.
Emergency help
The Emergency Benefit is available if you’re not eligible for other benefits or pensions and cannot support yourself or your family.
A Special Needs Grant can help you cover essential or emergency costs that you cannot afford.
Work and Income can advance up to 6 weeks’ benefit or pension to help pay for essential costs that crop up.
Recoverable Assistance Payment can help with urgent costs that you cannot afford.
Recoverable Assistance Payment
If you cannot pay for what you need you can apply to Work and Income for Temporary Additional Support. This is a weekly payment that can last for up to 13 weeks and you do not have to be on a benefit.
Work and Income
Disability Allowance is a weekly payment from Work and Income for people who have regular, ongoing costs because of a disability. You do not have to be on a benefit to qualify for the allowance.
Find out the other types of financial assistance you may qualify for, then choose if you want to apply.
Veterans’ Affairs
Veterans’ Affairs supports NZ veterans and their families through pensions, other payments or funding for treatment, travel, rehabilitation and independence.