Help for partners staying at home
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.
If you get an NZ government pension or benefit
If your partner moves into residential care and you stay at home, you:
- get the single, living alone rate for NZ Super or the Veteran’s Pension — rather than the rate for a couple
- continue to receive any other benefit you’ve been getting.
This applies if you’re married, in a civil union or a de facto relationship. Work and Income has more information about:
Help with the costs of staying in your own home
From Work and Income, you may also be able to get:
- an Accommodation Supplement — helps with the cost of owning your own home or renting.
- a Disability Allowance — pays for help in and around your home, and some health costs.
- Help paying rent and housing costs — rates rebates or deferrals through your local council which help you pay the rates on your home.
Help with paying for your own healthcare
Depending on your income and situation, you may also be able to get the High Use Health Card and the Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card.
Doctors, dentists and prescriptions
The Disability Allowance helps to pay for some health costs, as well as help in and around your home.
Disability Allowance — Work and Income
If you're over 65, there may be other government help you can get.
Government help with healthcare if you're over 65
Visiting your partner in residential care
A Special Disability Allowance helps with the cost of visiting your partner in residential care. You do not apply for this allowance. This amount is included in your pension or benefit payments once the Residential Care Subsidy for your partner is approved.
Special Disability Allowance — Work and Income
You may also be able to get help with other transport costs, whether it’s your own vehicle or public transport.
Coping without a car if you’re over 65
Paying for your partner’s healthcare
Your partner may be able to get the Residential Care Subsidy if your joint income and assets are at or below the level set by the government. Otherwise, you must pay for their residential care.
Residential Care Subsidy — Work and Income
Contact Seniorline
Seniorline provides information for older people about residential care, community services and how to get help at home.
- Freephone: 0800 725 463 (NZ only)
- Phone: +64 9 375 4395
- Email: seniorline@adhb.govt.nz
- Website: seniorline.org.nz