Domestic Purposes Benefit - Women Alone
Domestic Purposes Benefit – Women Alone is a weekly payment which helps women over 50 who have lost the support of their partner or finished caring for a child or sick relative.
Who can get it
You may get this type of Domestic Purposes Benefit if you are 50 years old or over and, after turning 50, you have:
- lost the support of your partner or
- finished caring for your child or a sick relative.
You can only get it if you have no partner or dependent children.
You must also:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- have lived in New Zealand for at least 2 years at any one time since becoming a New Zealand citizen or resident (unless you are a refugee).
You should also normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
This information is a guide only. Please contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
For more information
If you'd like more information please download our brochure:
Domestic purposes and widow’s benefits (PDF 210.64KB)
Financial assistance for sole parents, some women living alone and caregivers.
For a full explanation of the Domestic Purposes Benefit – Women Alone, you can go to our:
How to apply
Contact us to talk about your circumstances and we’ll explain how to apply. We’ll normally arrange a meeting with you and will tell you what you need to bring.
How long do I have to complete my application?
You have 20 working days from when you first contacted us. You'll need to provide us with any supporting documentation required for your application within this time. If you don't do this, you may have to reapply.
If you can't complete your application within 20 working days for any reason, please contact us.