Financial help and benefits if you’re over 65

Most New Zealanders over 65 can get NZ Super. For lower incomes, you may also be able to get government help to pay for regular costs or unexpected expenses.

Food

If you have an urgent need to buy food and no way to pay for it, you may be able to get some help. It’ll depend on how much you earn, and if you have a partner, what they earn too.

Work and Income will load money onto a payment card you can use at stores that accept them. The amount you can get will depend on your situation. You do not have to pay this money back.

There are restrictions on what you can buy, for example you cannot use the card to buy:

  • alcohol
  • tobacco, such as cigarettes
  • gift vouchers.

If you’re already an Ministry of Social Development (MSD) client, you can apply online through MyMSD. Otherwise, you can call Work and Income to discuss your situation and apply.

Get help with urgent food costs — Work and Income

Power, gas and water

If you have an outstanding bill, contact the company and try to arrange to pay it off. If this is not possible, you may be able to get some help.

Work and Income can help with:

  • power, gas or water — an urgent bill or reconnection cost
  • heating costs
  • water tank refills.

Whether you can get help depends on how much you and your partner (if you have one) earn and what money and assets you each have. You may have to pay the money back — depending on your situation.

Get help with power, gas, water bills or heating — Work and Income

Housing and household costs

Accommodation costs

You can get help paying for:

  • rent, board or a home loan with an accommodation allowance
  • your rates — with a rebate or refund from your local council or a postponment until you or your estate can pay
  • low-cost housing through central government or your local council.

Get help with housing costs — Work and Income

Home repairs and maintenance

For help paying for essential repairs and maintenance, check with your bank or another provider first. If they cannot help, Work and Income may be able to help you.  It’ll depend how much you and your partner (if you have one) earn and what money and assets you each have.

Depending on your situation, you may have to pay this money back.

You’ll need to book an appointment to discuss your situation and see what help you can get.

Get help with home repairs and maintenance — Work and Income

Help around your home

If you’re disabled or have an on-going health problem, you may be able to get some help with day-to-day tasks such as cleaning or grocery shopping.

Help in your home

Transport and vehicle costs

Public transport

You can use your SuperGold Card to travel free on scheduled off-peak public transport.

Off-peak travel is normally:

  • Monday to Friday between and and after to the end of the service
  • any time on weekends and public holidays.

Some councils provide other transport options such as taxis or vans. Check with your local council about public transport options.

Coping without a car if you’re over 65

If you have a car

You may be able to get help to pay for car repairs if you:

  • need the car to get to work
  • have an illness or disability
  • cannot use public transport.

You or your partner (if you have one) must be the owner of the car. Whether you can get help will depend on how much you and your partner earn and what money and assets you have. You’ll have to pay this money back.

To apply you’ll need to call Work and Income to discuss your situation.

Get help with car repairs — Work and Income

Transport after an injury

If you’re injured and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has accepted your claim, you may be able to get help with transport costs.

Travel and transport — ACC

Healthcare and medical costs

You may be able to get help to cover your expenses or subsidise the cost of your care.

Government help with healthcare if you’re over 65

Glasses

You may be able to get help paying for an eye test and glasses. Whether you can get help depends on how much you and your partner earn and what money and assets you each have.

You’ll get the money loaded on a payment card. You’ll have to pay this money back.

To apply you need to call Work and Income to discuss your situation and find out how they can help.

Glasses — Work and Income

Dental treatment

You may be able to get help paying for immediate and essential dental treatment such as fillings and extractions.

This does not include regular cleaning and check ups.

Whether you can get help depends on how much you and your partner earn and what money and assets you each have. You may need to pay some of this back, depending on your situation.

Dental treatment — Work and Income

If you’re disabled or have a health problem

The government provides services and financial help if you’re disabled or have health problems.

You can get help with:

  • paying for doctor visits and prescriptions
  • managing day-to-day and routine tasks in your home
  • paying for long-term care in a rest home or hospital
  • transport for medical reasons.

Government help with healthcare if you’re over 65

Other urgent or unexpected costs

You can get help with other unexpected or urgent costs that you cannot pay. Check out the list of help you can get on Work and Income’s website.

If your expense is not listed, talk to Work and Income to discuss your situation and find out how they can help you.

Get help with urgent or unexpected costs — Work and Income

Getting help with budgeting and finances

Financial abuse and scams — protect yourself and others

Anyone can be a victim of financial abuse. Find out about financial abuse and scams and how to protect yourself or someone you care for.

Managing your money — Sorted

Most New Zealanders will be able to get NZ Superannuation. Managing savings and several sources of income can be difficult — especially when you do not know for how long you’re planning.

Sorted has advice to help you:

Professional advice

Other help and payments you may be able to get

If you have a low income, you may be able to get other payments and support in addition to your NZ Super or pension.

Examples of support available:

  • Accommodation supplement
  • Disability allowance
  • Community services card.

Work and Income have an online tool you can use to check what other payments and assistance you can get.

Other payments for seniors — Work and Income

If you cannot get NZ Super

You can still apply for government help if you cannot get NZ Super — for example, because you’re not a permanent NZ resident or you have not lived here for long enough.

If you cannot get NZ Super or other benefits

Get more help

Different organisations can help you with your retirement and other related topics.

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.

Utility links and page information

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