Disability Allowance: help with the ongoing costs of a health condition
The Disability Allowance is a weekly payment from Work and Income for regular costs caused by a disability or long-term health condition. It pays up to $82.85 a week from 1 April 2026. It is not taxed, you do not have to pay it back, and you do not need to be on a benefit to get it.
It is not only for physical disabilities. A long-term health condition can count too, as long as it is likely to last at least 6 months and costs you money every week or month. Your health practitioner confirms this for Work and Income.
The basics
- Who can get it: You must be 16 or older, or be applying for a dependent child aged 18 or under. You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and normally live here and plan to stay.
- Your condition must be long-term: It must be likely to last at least 6 months.
- You must have regular extra costs: Ongoing costs caused by the condition, not one-off purchases.
- The costs must not be fully paid by someone else: If another agency, such as ACC, already pays for something in full, it does not count.
- You do not need a benefit: Working people and people on NZ Super can get it, if their income is under the limit.
- Not with a Residential Care Subsidy: You cannot get it if you get that subsidy.
What costs count
Your doctor, nurse practitioner or other health practitioner has to confirm each cost is caused by your condition. Common costs include:
- doctor and specialist visits, and prescription charges
- counselling
- travel to appointments
- extra power and heating
- special foods or a special diet
- extra clothing
- a phone or medical alarm you need for safety
- gym or pool fees recommended for your condition
- gardening help
Equipment and one-off items do not count, and neither do medical insurance premiums, rest home fees or retirement village costs.
Income limits
If you are on Jobseeker Support, Supported Living Payment or Sole Parent Support, there is no income limit. If you are working, on NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, or not on a main benefit, your weekly income before tax must be under these limits.
| Household | Weekly income limit |
|---|---|
| Single, aged 16 or 17 | $696.60 |
| Single, aged 18 or over | $870.00 |
| Couple | $1,295.11 |
| Sole parent, 1 child | $971.51 |
| Sole parent, 2 or more children | $1,023.59 |
How it is worked out
The allowance pays your actual extra costs each week, up to $82.85. So if your costs add up to $40 a week, you get $40. If they add up to $120, you get the $82.85 maximum.
Worked example. Wiremu is 68, on NZ Super with his wife, and has type 2 diabetes and arthritis. Their joint income is $1,180 a week before tax.
Their income: $1,180 is under the $1,295.11 couple limit.
His regular costs: $16 a week for GP visits, $4 for prescriptions, $15 for a hydrotherapy pool and $12 for petrol to appointments, so $47 a week.
Result: Wiremu could get about $47 a week, as long as his doctor confirms the costs.
The catch
- You need proof. Keep receipts, and get your health practitioner to fill in a Disability Certificate. It may need renewing.
- Tell them when costs change. If you start a new medicine or your costs go up, tell Work and Income, as your allowance may go up too.
- The yearly check. Work and Income reviews it at least every 52 weeks.
- It affects other help. The Disability Allowance counts as income for Temporary Additional Support, so it can lower that payment.
- Children are separate. A child may also qualify for the Child Disability Allowance. Ask about both.
Do this next
- List every regular cost caused by your condition, and keep receipts.
- Ask your doctor or health practitioner to fill in a Disability Certificate.
- Apply through MyMSD, or use the Extra Help application form if you are not already a Work and Income client. You can also phone 0800 559 009.
- Finish the application within 20 working days of first contact, so you can be paid from the date you asked.
- Each time your costs change, tell Work and Income with new proof.
Getting ready for an appointment? Our free Interview Room tells you what to bring.
Common questions
Do I have to be on a benefit to get the Disability Allowance?
No. Working people and people on NZ Super can get it, as long as their income is under the limit for their household.
Do I have to pay it back?
No. Work and Income says you do not have to pay the Disability Allowance back.
Does a mental health condition count?
It can. What matters is that the condition is likely to last at least 6 months, causes regular extra costs such as counselling or doctor visits, and your health practitioner confirms those costs.
Can I get it for my child?
Yes. You can apply for a dependent child aged 18 or under. Your child may also qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.
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Last reviewed 16 October 2026. Written by Streetwise from the official pages listed above. General information only, not legal or financial advice.