Widow’s Benefit
Widow’s Benefit is a weekly payment which helps women whose husbands or partners have died.
Who can get it
You may get the Widow’s Benefit if you are a woman whose husband or partner has died. This can be a partner from a civil union or de facto relationship.
This will also depend on:
- if you have dependent children
- if you’ve had dependent children in the past
- your age when your husband or partner died
- how long you were married or in a relationship(s).
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. Contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
Are you eligible?
Find out if you might get this benefit, and what other financial assistance may be available to you.
If you don’t want to complete the form online you can print out and complete the application form below.
If you can’t print the form out we’ll send an application form to you or you can complete it when you come in to see us.
We can grant you the financial assistance you’re entitled to from the date you first contact us if you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.
Contact us for more information