You can apply for government help to pay for a monitored medical alarm service if you have an ongoing illness or disability.
Who can get help
If you are eligible, the government can help with the ongoing costs of medical alarms if you have:
ongoing health conditions
a disability, or
an injury.
Your eligibility for government help depends on your personal circumstances, for example your income.
What government help is available
If you have a health condition or disability
The Disability Allowance from Work and Income can help cover the rental and monitoring costs of your medical alarm. You can apply for you, your partner, or a child.
Find out who can get the Disability Allowance, which medical alarm suppliers are MSD-accredited, what support you can get and how to apply. Your eligibility depends on how much you earn.
If the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is supporting you after an accident or injury, they may be able to cover the costs of aids and equipment for your recovery.
If your alarm was paid for by a Disability Allowance before you moved into the retirement village, when you move in you will still receive the Disability Allowance for your alarm if:
you still need it, and
the cost is not covered by the service fee at the retirement village.
If the cost is part of the standard service fee you’re paying to live in a retirement village, you cannot apply for a Disability Allowance to pay for it.
