Get Assistance >> Community Services Card
Other cards
If you do not qualify for a Community Services Card there are other cards that may be of help.
High Use Health Card
This card helps people who frequently visit the doctor for an on-going condition. An applicant must have visited the doctor 12 times or more in the last 12 months.
The High Use Health Card starts from the day after the twelfth visit. It is granted on an individual basis and other family members cannot use it.
People with a High Use Health Card pay less at the doctor and no more than $3 an item for government prescription charges. They still have to pay any manufacturer's charge.
Cardholders can claim reimbursement for charges incurred while they are waiting for their High Use Health Card.
The High Use Health Card provides the same subsidies as a Community Services Card but is not income tested.
Please Note: You can apply for this card through your doctor.
Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card
A Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card is available from a pharmacist if a family pays the government prescription charge on 20 subsidised prescription items a year. The year starts on 1 February. Prescriptions for children under 6 do not count towards this card.
People with a Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card pay $2 per item for the rest of the year. If they also have a Community Services Card they will not have to pay any more government prescription charges that year. They will always have to pay the manufacturer's charges on items over and above the government subsidy.
Cardholders can claim reimbursement for charges incurred while they are waiting for their Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card.
Please Note: You can apply for this card through your chemist.
The High Use Health Card and the Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card are administered by health providers.
SuperGold Card
The SuperGold Card is a discounts and concessions card issued free to all eligible New Zealanders who are aged 65 years or over, and those aged under 65 years receiving New Zealand Superannuation or the Veteran’s Pension.
The SuperGold Card recognises the valued contribution our seniors and veterans have made, and continue to make, to New Zealand society. It gives cardholders access to a wide range of business discounts and will facilitate easy access to government entitlements and local council concessions.
It also replaces both the Community Services Card and NZ Super Card currently issued to New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension recipients. The back of the new card clearly indicates whether a cardholder has entitlement to New Zealand Superannuation, the Veteran’s Pension and/ or a Community Services Card.
For further information please visit www.supergold.govt.nz or call 0800 25 45 65
