Benefit rates at 1 April 2021

Benefit and payment rates from 1 April 2021

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4

Jobseeker Support: without children
Single, 18 to 19 years, at home $180.91 $202.13 Note 1 $65 Note 2 $165 $105 $80 $70
Single, 18 to 19 years, away from home $219.70 $245.47 Note 1 $65 $78 $165 $105 $80 $70
Single, 20 to 24 years $219.70 $245.47 Note 1 $65 $78 $165 $105 $80 $70
Single, 25 years or over $258.50 $290.49 $134.10 $65 $78 $165 $105 $80 $70
Couple (total) $413.62 $462.14 $251.62 $103 $124 $235 $155 $105 $80
Couple (each) $206.81 $231.07              

Jobseeker Support: with children
Sole parent $386.78 $445.98 Note 3 $125 $150 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4
Couple with 1 or more children (total) $441.30 $493.08 Note 3 $139 $166 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 or more children (each) $220.65 $246.54              
Couple with 1 partner not on benefit and 1 or more children (total) $234.50 $262.01 Note 3 $139 $166 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 partner on NZ Super or Veteran's Pension and 1 or more children (total) $234.50 $262.01 Note 3 $171 $205 $305 $220 $160 $120

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 1: Special Benefit isn't available for these clients.

Note 2: The mortgage rate isn't relevant as these clients are living at home or away from home, and supported by their parents.

Note 3: Special Benefit standard costs for these clients are equal to 70% of the unabated main benefit and unabated family tax credit combined.

Note 4: Accommodation Supplement maximum rates for these clients are:

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4  
$235 $155 $105 $80 1 child
$305 $220 $160 $120 2 or more children

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4
Solo parent, 16 to 17 years, living with or supported by parents who earn less than the Family Tax Credit threshold $208.60 $233.07 Note 1 $80 Note 2 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4
Solo parent, 16 to 19 years $386.78 $445.98 Note 1 $125 $150 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4
Couple with 1 or more children (total) $441.30 $493.08 Note 1 $139 $166 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 or more children (each) $220.65 $246.54              
Couple with 1 partner not on benefit and 1 or more children (total) $234.50 $262.01 Note 1 $139 $166 $305 $220 $160 $120

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 1: Special Benefit isn't available for these clients.

Note 2: The mortgage rate isn't relevant as these clients are living at home or away from home, and supported by their parents.

Note 4: Accommodation Supplement maximum rates for these clients are:

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4  
$235 $155 $105 $80 1 child
$305 $220 $160 $120 2 or more children

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4
Single, 16 to 17 years $219.70 $245.47 Note 1 $65 $78 $165 $105 $80 $70
Couple (total) $413.62 $462.14 Note 1 $103 $124 $235 $155 $105 $80
Couple (each) $206.81 $231.07              

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 1: Special Benefit isn't available for these clients.

Granted before 15/7/2013

Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4
$268.16 $302.20 $141.76 $67 $80 $165 $105 $80 $70

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4
$386.78 $445.98 Note 3 $125 $150 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 3: Special Benefit standard costs for these clients are equal to 70% of the unabated main benefit and unabated family tax credit combined.

Note 4: Accommodation Supplement maximum rates for these clients are:

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4  
$235 $155 $105 $80 1 child
$305 $220 $160 $120 2 or more children

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4

Supported Living Payment: without children
Single, 16 to 17 years $261.15 $293.70 Note 1 $79 $95 $165 $105 $80 $70
Single, 18 years or over $316.65 $360.97

$181.94

 $79 $95 $165 $105 $80 $70
Couple (total) $510.54 $573.14 $331.91 $128 $153 $235 $155 $105 $80
Couple (each) $255.27 $286.57              

Supported Living Payment: with children
Sole parent $435.58 $505.13 Note 3 $137 $165 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4
Couple with 1 or more children (total) $538.24 $606.72 Note 3 $163 $195 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 or more children (each) $269.12 $303.36              
Couple with 1 partner not on benefit and 1 or more children (total) $282.96 $320.14 Note 3 $163 $195 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 partner on NZ Super or Veteran's Pension and 1 or more children (total) $282.96 $320.14 Note 3 $183 $220 $305 $220 $160 $120

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non-beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 1: Special Benefit isn't available for these clients.

Note 3: Special Benefit standard costs for these clients are equal to 70% of the unabated main benefit and unabated family tax credit combined.

Note 4: Accommodation Supplement maximum rates for these clients are:

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4  
$235 $155 $105 $80 1 child
$305 $220 $160 $120 2 or more children

Benefit type Weekly rate, non-taxable
Standard Disability Allowance - maximum $66.11
Special Disability Allowance $41.24
Child Disability Allowance $49.83

Child or young person's age Weekly rate, non-taxable
Aged under 5 years $203.03
Aged 5 to 9 years $228.15
Aged 10 to 13 years $246.93
Aged 14 years or over $265.62

Category Weekly rate, non-taxable
Aged 0-4 years $203.03
Aged 5-9 years $228.15
Aged 10-13 years $246.93
Aged 14 years and over $265.62
Family home $250.81

Category Rate
First or only child, aged 0 to 15 years $113.04
First or only child, aged 16 years or older $113.04
Second or subsequent child, aged 0 to 12 years $91.25
Second or subsequent child, aged 13 to 15 years $91.25
Second or subsequent child, aged 16 years or older $91.25

Pension type Net weekly rate
(after tax at "M")		 Net weekly rate
(after tax at "S")		 Gross weekly rate
NZ Super or Veteran's Pension - standard rates
Single      
Single, living alone $436.94 $418.09 $506.64
Single, sharing $403.33 $384.48 $466.03
Couples      
Both you and your partner qualify (combined) $672.22 $634.52 $768.92
Both you and your partner qualify (each) $336.11 $317.26 $384.46
Only one of you qualifies and you include your partner in your payments (combined) $638.94 $601.24 $728.64
Only one of you qualifies and you include your partner in your payments (each) $319. 47 $300.62 $364.32
Only one of you qualifies and you don't include your partner in your payments $336.11 $317.26 $384.46
NZ Super or Veteran's Pension — non-standard rates
Couple, with non-qualified spouse included before 1 October 1991 (total) $672.22 $634.52 $768.92
Couple, with non-qualified spouse included before 1 October 1991 (each) $336.11 $317.26 $384.46
Hospital rate $46.56 Note 1 $52.02
Non-taxable amounts
Other veterans lump sum payment on death $6,237.50
Veteran's spouse's lump sum payment on death $4,756.27

Note 1: The hospital rate is always taxed at the 'M' rate.

You can find more information about the NZ Super rates here and Veteran's Pension rates here.

For more information about war pensions and allowances, please phone Veterans' Affairs New Zealand on 0800 483 8372 (0800 4 VETERAN)

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at 'M') Gross weekly rate for NZ Super or Veteran's Pension Gross weekly rate for other benefits
Older People Receiving RCS $46.56 $52.02 $52.02
People with Psychiatric or Intellectual Disabilities $67.85 $75.72 $75.81
People with Physical or Sensory Disabilities $110.25 $123.16 $123.18

Assistance Rate per hour
Maximum gross rate - excluding holiday pay $21.06
Maximum gross rate - including holiday pay (8%) $22.74

At 1 April 2021 for couples receiving half-married rates of different benefits

Type of benefit combination Without children With children
Rent or board Mortgage Rent or board Mortgage
NZ Superannuation or Veterans Pension
and Supported Living Payment		 $148 $177 $183 $220
NZ Superannuation or Veterans Pension
and Jobseeker Support or non-beneficiary		 $136 $163 $171 $205
Supported Living Payment and Jobseeker Support or non-beneficiary $116 $139 $151 $181

Number of dependent children in your care Childcare Subsidy and OSCAR subsidy rates
Gross income per week
1 child Less than $800.00 $800.00 to $1,199.99 $1,200.00 to $1,299.99 $1,300.00 to $1,399.99 $1,400.00 or more
2 children Less than $920.00 $920.00 to $1,379.99 $1,380.00 to $1,489.99 $1,490.00 to $1,599.99 $1,600.00 or more
3 or more children Less than $1,030.00 $1,030.00 to $1,539.99 $1,540.00 to $1,669.99 $1,670.00 to 1,799.99 $1,800.00 or more
Rate that applies - see the chart below Rate 0 Rate 1 Rate 2 Rate 3 Nil

Below are the rates of Childcare Subsidy and OSCAR Subsidy that apply to the income thresholds listed above.

Assistance type Rate 0 Rate 1 Rate 2 Rate 3
Childcare Subsidy hourly rate, non-taxable $5.37 $4.28 $2.99 $1.67
Childcare Subsidy up to 50 hours per week, maximum, non‑taxable $268.50 $214.00 $149.50 $83.50
OSCAR Subsidy hourly rate, non-taxable $5.37 $4.28 $2.99 $1.67
OSCAR Subsidy during term time up to 20 hours per week, maximum, non-taxable $107.40 $85.60 $59.80 $33.40
OSCAR Subsidy during holidays up to 50 hours per week, maximum, non-taxable $268.50 $214.00 $149.50 $83.50

Rate
For other than NZ Super, Veterans Pension, Orphans Benefit, or Unsupported Child Benefit $46.56 (net, weekly, after tax at "M")
$52.02 (gross, weekly)

Rate
Income and asset‑tested - maximum $2,152.66

Category Weekly income limits before tax
Single 16-17 years $555.91
Single 18+ years $692.52
Married, civil union or de facto couple (with or without children) $1031.20
Sole parent 1 child $775.31
Sole parent 2+ children $816.86

Family size Gross annual cut-out point for NZ Super clients Gross annual cut-out point for other clients
Single, sharing accommodation $29,677 $27,909
Single, living alone $31,568 $29,618
Couple $47,378 $44,290
2-person family - 1 adult, 1 child $54,098 $54,098
3-person family $66,589 $66,589
4-person family $76,822 $76,822
5-person family $86,873 $86,873
6-person family $97,937 $97,937
For each additional family member add $9,926

Duration Rate, non-taxable
Weekly - maximum $114.19
Yearly - maximum $4,567.60

Category Net weekly allowance
(after tax at "M")		 Gross weekly allowance

Single student without dependent children
Under 24 years, at home - up to $203.11 $226.94
Under 24 years, away from home - up to $240.65 $268.88
Independent circumstances $240.65 $268.88
24 years or over, at home $233.13 $260.48
24 years or over, away from home $278.19 $314.36

Student with earning partner
Student with earning partner, at home, without children $134.35 $150.11
Student with earning partner, away from home, without children $174.17 $194.60
Student with earning partner, partner not receiving, at home, with children $161.14 $180.04
Student with earning partner, partner not receiving, away from home, with children $200.97 $224.55
Student with earning partner, partner receiving, at home, with children (each)  $147.76 $165.09
Student with earning partner, partner receiving, away from home, with children (each) $187.57 $209.58

Couple without dependent children
One student, one dependent partner $481.28 $560.53
Both eligible students (each) $240.65 $268.88
Both students, one eligible $278.19 $314.36

Single student with dependent children
Single student with 1 or more children $402.32 $464.82

Couple with dependent children
Both students, one eligible, with 1 or more children $402.32 $464.82
Both students, both eligible, partner receiving, with 1 or more children (each) $254.05 $285.10
Both students, both eligible, partner not receiving, with 1 or more children $267.43 $301.31
One student, one dependent partner, with 1 or more children $508.08 $593.01

Weekly rate
Student Loan living cost component - maximum $242.53