Whiteware
We may be able to help you buy a new fridge, freezer, combined fridge-freezer or washing machine if you’re on a low income or a benefit. We may also be able to help you pay for repairs to your current appliance.
- You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify for this help.
- You don't have to get a quote.
- You'll have to pay the money back.
- You should only buy an approved whiteware appliance with this assistance. If you need help with other essential items, please talk with us.
Who can get it
You may get help if you:
- are 16 or over (if you're 16-19 and have a Youth Service provider, contact Youth Services)
- are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here
- have an immediate or essential need.
It also depends on:
- how much you and your partner earn
- any money or assets you and your partner have.
Your income will be assessed either weekly or yearly, depending on the kind of help you qualify for. These income and asset limits usually apply:
Current income limits
If you are: |
Weekly income before tax is less than |
|---|---|
| Single and 16 to 17 years old | $879.17 |
| Single and 18 years old or over | $1,010.41 |
| Couple (with or without children) | $1,467.61 |
| Sole parent with 1 child | $1,226.09 |
| Sole parent with 2 or more children | $1,291.75 |
Asset limits
These don't include the things you need for day-to-day living, e.g. your home, car, and some payments after a severe weather event. They do include things like money in the bank, or a second property.
If you are: |
Your assets are worth less than |
|---|---|
| Single | $1,411.22 |
| Couple (with or without children) or sole parent | $2,351.46 |
What you can get
You can apply for an advance or recoverable assistance payment to buy a:
- fridge
- freezer
- combined fridge-freezer
- washing machine.
Recoverable Assistance Payment
If your application is approved, you'll be able to buy your appliance from one of the suppliers we have an arrangement with. They will:
- provide a minimum 2-year warranty
- deliver and install the appliance
- remove your old appliance (if it's clean and empty).
The appliance will also be covered under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
Consumer Guarantees Actexternal
You only need to pay back the money you spend. Any money left on your payment card will automatically return to us, and you won't have to pay it back.
Where you can get it from
We have an arrangement with 4 suppliers for whiteware for you to choose from. They have a range of appliances, models and brands available at MSD prices.
These suppliers are:
- Big Save
- Noel Leeming
- Trade Depot
- Fisher & Paykel and Haier (through 100% Home, Appliance Plus, Harvey Norman and Heathcotes - these retailers offer only Fisher & Paykel/Haier whiteware through this arrangement).
You can go to any of these stores to buy the appliance you've been approved for.
Once you're in store, tell the staff you're paying with a Work and Income payment card. They will show you the approved range of appliances and tell you the MSD prices.
If an appliance in the approved range is on sale, the sale price is also available to you. The sale price won’t include the cost of delivery, installation, and removal of packaging and the old appliance, so that would be added.
You should pay the lowest overall price, whether it’s the MSD price or a sale one (plus delivery, installation, and removal charges).
Click on the links below to see the appliances and price ranges for MSD clients:
The specific MSD prices for individual appliances aren't available online.
How to apply
Step 1: Call us
You need to call us.
We'll talk with you to understand your situation and how we can help. We'll let you know what information you need to provide and how to get this to us.
You do not need to provide quotes.
Step 2: Get a payment card
If your application is approved, we'll load the money onto a payment card for you. If you don't already have one of these, you'll need to visit a service centre to get one, and set a pin on it before you use it.
Find out more about payment cards
Step 3: Choose where you'll buy your appliance from
We have an arrangement with 4 suppliers for whiteware for you to choose from. They have a range of different appliances, models and brands available at MSD prices.
These suppliers are:
- Big Save
- Noel Leeming
- Trade Depot
- Fisher & Paykel and Haier (through 100% Home, Appliance Plus, Harvey Norman and Heathcotes - these retailers offer only Fisher & Paykel/Haier whiteware through this arrangement).
You can go to any of these stores to buy the appliance you've been approved for. Tell the staff you're paying with a Work and Income payment card. They will show you the approved range of appliances and tell you the MSD prices.
Click on the links below to see the appliances and price ranges for MSD clients:
The specific MSD prices for individual appliances aren't available online.
You can't top up the money available on your payment card with your own funds.
Step 4: Buy the appliance
You'll need to buy your appliance at the store using your payment card. Let the staff know you're an MSD client and are here for an appliance with an MSD price.
You can't use your payment card online. If you can't get to a store, tell us when you call to apply.
You should only buy the appliance you have approval for. For example, if you get assistance to buy an approved fridge, you can’t buy other items such as an air fryer or a microwave. If you need help with other essential items, please talk with us.
If you have been approved to buy multiple items on your payment card, for example a fridge-freezer and bedding, you need to pay for these in separate transactions – even if it’s from the same store.
If you're not sure how to use your payment card, you can find out how to do this here:
Our whiteware retailers tell us about payment card transactions, including the payment card number used. We use this information to make sure clients are using the assistance for the purpose we've discussed with them.
Step 5: Arrange delivery
The store will work with you to arrange for the appliance to be delivered to your home and installed. They will also remove the packaging and take away your old appliance (if it's clean and empty). These services are included in the MSD price.
You can't take the appliance away after you buy it. It has to be delivered and installed by the store.
If you need to make any changes to your order, get in touch with the store. If there is a refund, the money will be returned to us, not your payment card.
If there's a problem with the appliance
Appliances come with a minimum 2-year warranty.
Quotes aren't needed for whiteware repairs.
Appliances purchased on or after 3 September 2025
If you need help with your appliance, contact the store you bought it from. They will talk to you about what needs to be done, and if needed arrange for a service technician to come look at it.
If the fault with your appliance isn't covered by the warranty, we may be able to help you pay for servicing and repairs. Call us to apply.
Appliances purchased before 3 September 2025
If you need help with your appliance purchased from Fisher & Paykel before 3 September 2025, call Fisher & Paykel on 0800 673 424. Discuss the fault and, if needed, arrange a repair service.
If the fault with your appliance isn't covered by the warranty, we may be able to help you pay for servicing and repairs. Call us to apply.