Recoverable Assistance Payment
A Recoverable Assistance Payment is a one-off payment to help you pay an essential or emergency cost if you can't pay it another way.
You don't qualify for this payment if you're on a benefit. You have to pay the money back.
Who can get it
You may be able to get a Recoverable Assistance Payment if you:
- don't get a benefit from us
- have an essential or emergency cost you can't pay for
- have no other way to pay for this cost
- are either a:
- New Zealand citizen or
- permanent resident
- normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
It also depends on:
- how much you and your partner earn
- any money or assets you and your partner have.
Current income limits
| If you are: | Annual income before tax is less than |
|---|---|
|
Single and 16 to 17 years old |
$45,716.84 |
|
Single and 18 years old or over |
$52,541.32 |
|
Couple (with or without children) |
$76,315.72 |
|
Sole parent with 1 child |
$63,756.68 |
|
Sole parent with 2 or more children |
$67,171 |
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
How much you get depends on your situation and what you need help with.
Examples of costs we can help with are:
- ambulance subscription fees
- attendance at funerals and tangihanga
- beds, chairs and tables
- car repairs
- child car seat
- clothing
- costs to end your tenancy early, or sublet or assign your tenancy
- dentures and hearing aids
- driver licence
- electricity, gas or water
- fire loss or burglary
- fridges, freezes and washing machines
- glasses
- school costs
- school stationery
- school uniforms
- tenancy tribunal fees
- travel if you're stranded.
We may be able to help with other costs, it depends on your situation. If you're not sure whether we can help, talk with us about your situation.
How to apply
You need to call us on 0800 559 009
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.
What happens next
If your application is approved, we'll give you a payment card (if you don't already have one) and load the money onto it. We'll talk to you about how to get this to you.
You have 7 days to spend the money before it expires.
Using your payment card
A payment card is like an Eftpos card and you can use it at any supermarket or store that accepts them.
Information about Payment Cards
You can login to MyMSD to see how much you have left on your payment card and when it expires.
Once you've used your payment card, keep it. You can use it again if you need help from us in the future.