You might qualify for | Ongoing assistance
Disability Allowance
Disability Allowance is a weekly payment for people who have regular, on-going costs because of a disability, such as visits to the doctor or hospital, medicines, extra clothing or travel.
Each person with a disability can get up to a maximum of $79 per week, depending on these costs.
We need more information because:
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We don't know if you or someone in your family has a disability that will last more than 6 months
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We don't know if your income is below the cut-off
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We don't know if you are not studying
However you do meet these requirements:
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You are a New Zealand Citizen or Resident
How to apply for Disability Allowance
What application form you fill out depends on what payments you're getting from us.
We can grant you the financial assistance you qualify for from the date you first contact us if you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.
Not getting any payments from us or only getting childcare payments
You can apply online.
Apply Online
The online application process
Once you've applied online, we'll tell you what you need to do.
If you can apply online for more than one service, you only need to fill out the form once.
If you don't want to complete the form online you can print out and complete an Extra Help application form.
Once you've completed the form, call us and we'll let you know what information you need to provide and how to get this to us.
Already getting payments from us (for example, a benefit or Accommodation Supplement) but not Disability Allowance
You can complete a Disability Allowance application form.
Once you’ve completed the form, call us and we'll let you know what information you need to provide and how to get this to us.
Applying for counselling or medical alarm costs
If you’re applying for a Disability Allowance for the cost of counselling or medical alarms, there’s an extra form that needs to be completed.
Counselling costs:
- You, your doctor and counsellor also need to complete a
Medical alarm costs:
- Your doctor also needs to complete a
Applying on behalf of someone else
You can apply for a Disability Allowance on someone else's behalf, but only if they've filled out a form to appoint you as their agent.
For more information visit: Disability Allowance
If you can apply online for more than one service, you only need to fill out the form once.