Supported Living Payment

To get the Supported Living Payment because of a health condition, injury or disability, you must be either:

• permanently and severely restricted in your capacity to work because of a health condition, injury or disability. This means you:
  • have a condition affecting your capacity to work for more than two years, OR
  • have a life expectancy of less than two years AND
  • can’t regularly work 15 hours or more a week in open employment
• totally blind.

You must also be 16 years or older.

As part of your application for Supported Living Payment we’ll need you to give us information that confirms your condition and the impact it has on your ability to work.

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If you want to work

People on the Supported Living Payment are not required to look for work, but we know that many disabled people and people with health conditions are keen to work with the right support.

If employment is an option for you, we can work with you to help you into work.

If you start work you may still be able to get financial help with costs such as accommodation and childcare.

You may also qualify for Work Bonus or Transition to Work payments. We will talk to you about this support when you contact us to tell us you have found work.

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If you have a partner

If you have a partner, their situation will be considered in your application. Your partner will also need to meet a number of obligations.

To get the Supported Living Payment because you're a full-time carer, you need to be caring full-time for someone at home who isn't your husband, wife or partner.

The person can be:

• your child
• a family member (other than your partner or spouse)
• a member of your community.

The person you’re caring for must otherwise need to receive hospital or residential-level care. Examples of this level of care are:

• rest home care
• residential disability care
• extended care services for severely disabled children and young people
• inpatient or residential hospital care.

You do not need to be single.

This benefit may be for you if you cannot work full-time because you need to care for someone.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you will need to talk to us about the situation before you can get this benefit.

As part of the application process we’ll need to see medical information from the doctor or specialist of the person you’re caring for.

There is an income limit for this assistance.

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If you have a partner

If you’re a full-time carer for someone and you have a partner, your partner can’t be included in your Supported Living Payment. Talk to us if they need financial assistance.

To get the Supported Living Payment you’ll need to meet some obligations.

These include the need to:

• tell us if there are changes to your situation – for example to your income, work, relationship, or caring responsibilities
• provide us with medical information when requested
• take reasonable steps to make sure any dependent children in your care get health checks and education
• tell us if you’re travelling overseas before you leave, no matter how long you plan to be away for or why you’re travelling
• clear any Ministry of Justice-issued arrest warrants for criminal matters.

Read more about:

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Having another child while on a benefit

If you have another child while you're getting Supported Living Payment, you need to let us know as it could affect your payments.

Your partner will be expected to prepare for work before that child turns one year old.

Your partner may be required to look for work from when the child turns one, depending on the age of your next youngest child.

How is it paid?

Supported Living Payment is paid weekly and if you also qualify for extra financial help it’s paid at the same time.

How much money you get depends on your situation. For example, if you go into hospital long term you may get less.

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How long before you get your first payment?

Usually you receive your first payment two or three weeks after you've applied. It may be longer if you've received sick or holiday pay from an employer.

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If you get other types of income

You can get up to $5,200 a year (before tax) before your benefit is affected. If you have a partner, that $5,200 applies to your combined earnings. Any income you get that’s not from Work and Income may affect extra financial help you receive from us.

If you’re totally blind, we won’t make any deductions for any extra income you earn.

You may be able to get other financial assistance. The Supported Living Payment application form will collect information to help Work and Income decide what other help you may be eligible for.

The health and disability support system may also provide assistance, including time off for caregivers and home support services. Contact your local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination service, Care Coordination Centre, Disability Information Advisory Service, or doctor or hospital.

You can find more information by visiting the Ministry of Health website.

Find out if you might get this benefit, what other financial assistance may be available to you, and what pre-benefit activities you may have.

Complete your application form for financial assistance online.

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.