Download Benefits and Entitlements

INFORMATION SHEET
Benefits and Entitlements
This information sheet is about Work and
Income benefits you may be able to receive if
you or your family/whānau or caregivers are
affected by cancer.
• It also includes people who can only work part
time or can’t look for work at the moment, for
example, because they have a health condition,
injury or disability
Benefit changes occurred in July 2013, with name
changes and changes to criteria to most benefit
categories. Three benefits have replaced most old
benefits. For people who were on the old benefits,
payments will continue as usual.
• Most people on Jobseeker Support are expected to
look for full-time work. Those temporarily
unable to do this may still be expected to carry
out agreed activities to help them prepare for
work.
Special circumstances may entitle you to further
payments. Ask the hospital social workers or staff
at the local office of Work and Income or phone the
Work and Income Contact Centre on 0800 559 009,
or see the ‘Useful contacts’ section at the end of this
information sheet.
Sole Parent Support
For someone undergoing cancer treatment or who
is unwell, it can be helpful to appoint an agent (a
trusted friend or family member) to act on their
behalf and communicate with Work and Income when
required. This involves completing a form you can get
from your oncology social worker or from Work and
Income.
Job Seeker Support
Job Seeker Support replaces previous benefits:
Sole Parent Support replaces previous benefits:
• Domestic Purposes Benefit–Sole Parent if youngest
child is aged under 14
• Widow’s Benefit–if youngest child is aged
under 14.
What is Sole Parent Support?
If you’re a single parent or caregiver with one or more
dependent children aged under 14 years, Sole Parent
Support:
• helps you get ready for future work (if your
youngest child is younger than five years)
• Unemployment Benefit
• supports you to find part-time work (if your
youngest child is five years or over)
• Sickness Benefit
• provides financial help through a weekly payment
• Domestic Purposes Benefit–Women Alone
• may mean you can get help with education and
training.
• Domestic Purposes Benefit–Sole Parent if youngest
child is aged 14 and over
• Widow’s Benefit–without children, or if youngest
child is aged 14 and over.
When your youngest child reaches 14 you’ll transfer
to Jobseeker Support and will be expected to look for
and be available for full-time work.
To get Job Seeker Support you generally need to be:
Supported Living Payment
• unemployed and looking for a job, or
Support Living Payment replaces previous benefits:
• in part-time employment seeking more work, or
• Invalid’s Benefit
• not in work, or working less than full time due to
a health condition, injury or disability.
• Domestic Purposes Benefit–Care of Sick or Infirm.
For cancer information and support phone 0800 CANCER (226 237) or go to www.cancernz.org.nz
CANCER SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND • TE KAHU MATEPUKUPUKU O AOTEAROA
The Supported Living Payment is for people who are
permanently and severely restricted in their ability to
work because of a health condition or disability.
A Supported Living Payment also applies to carers of
people needing hospital-level (or equivalent) care.
People on this benefit may be asked to do specific
activities to prepare for work where they’re able.
General Work and Income
Information
To qualify for any type of income support:
If you have a partner their situation will be considered
in your application.
You must meet age criteria―different depending on
each benefit. You must be a legal resident of New
Zealand when you apply. This means you normally live
here and have been living here continuously for two
years or more at any one time since becoming a New
Zealand citizen.
To be eligible for assistance depends on your income.
Income means any money you or your partner get
from work, investments, your own business, rent or
boarders, or Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
payments.
You must meet work criteria if this is requested by
Work and Income. If you didn’t have work obligations
before the benefit changes of July 2013, this will
continue until your situation changes. For example,
if you were on the Sickness Benefit and are unable to
work you will not need to look for a job when
transferred to Job Seeker Support until your ability to
work changes. If you provide medical evidence (a
doctor’s letter) you may be exempt from work
obligations.
NB: If you don’t meet the above criteria you may
still qualify for an Emergency Benefit on the grounds
of hardship. (If you are not a New Zealand citizen or
permanent resident you may still qualify for an
Emergency Benefit.)
Extra help
If you are on a low income, or already get one of the
main types of income support, you may be able to
get extra help. You may not have to be on a Work and
Income Support payment to get assistance.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
Accommodation Supplement
The Accommodation Supplement helps towards rent,
board, or the cost of owning a home. You only qualify
if your costs are over a certain amount and your income and assets under certain limits.
Accommodation Supplementary assistance is not paid
if you live in a Housing New Zealand home.
Disability Allowance
The Disability Allowance helps towards the extra
ongoing costs you or your family/whānau have
because of illness.
It can help with costs like regular visits to the
doctor or hospital, medicines, counselling, extra
clothes, travel, personal alarms, increased heating
costs, lawn mowing and gardening. Actual costs of
these need to be shown.
You need to prove you meet the residency or
citizenship criteria, meet the income and asset
criteria and show medical proof that you have a disability which is likely to last longer than 6 months.
There is a maximum amount that you can receive.
Community Services Card
The Community Services Card gives you and your
children cost reductions on doctors’ fees and
prescriptions and some goods or services. Most people
who are on a benefit automatically get one of these
cards. If you are on a low income you can also apply
for one.
Applications can be made at your local Work and
Income office or by calling the Community Services
Card National Centre on 0800 999 999.
Family Tax credit
Working for Families Tax Credits are made up of four
types of payments―family tax credit, in-work tax
credit, minimum family tax credit and parental tax
credit. You may qualify for one or more, depending
on your personal situation. This is paid by Work and
Income if someone is on a benefit. Otherwise, this
payment is administered by the Inland Revenue
Department (Tax Office).
Most types of extra help depend on your income and
the costs involved.
For cancer information and support phone 0800 CANCER (226 237) or go to www.cancernz.org.nz
CANCER SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND • TE KAHU MATEPUKUPUKU O AOTEAROA
Special Disability Allowance
You may get a Special Disability Allowance if:
• you are getting a benefit or pension and
• your spouse is getting a residential care subsidy
or has been in a hospital or rest home for over 13
weeks.
Temporary Additional Support
This is a non-taxable supplementary payment that can
be paid for a maximum of 13 weeks. It is paid as a last
resort to help a person with their regular essential
living costs.
Advances
In order to receive an Advance Payment of Benefit an
applicant must meet an income and asset test, and
have an immediate and essential need. Non
beneficiaries can also apply for a Recoverable
Assistance Payment Grant. This must be paid back but
can be paid back in instalments.
Childcare Subsidy/OSCAR
This is available to assist seriously disabled or
ill caregivers.
Funeral Grant
This is a non-taxable lump sum payment that provides
assistance towards a person’s funeral expenses. It is
designed to cover actual and reasonable funeral costs
only and is income and asset tested. There is a maximum payment which is usually less than the cost of
an actual funeral. Ask the funeral director about this
grant and also about the actual costs of a funeral.
Entitlements other than Work
and Income
High User Health Card–subsidises
medical centre visits
If you have 12 or more visits to your General
Practitioner (GP) in a 12-month period for the same
illness, you can get a High User Card through your GP.
This will give you cheaper visits for the illness. The
High User card is not income tested. The GP arranges
this, so ask at your medical centre. The High User card
is not income tested.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
a medical certificate for the patient is required as
proof of their sickness or disability. The
application form also requires verification that
without your ongoing support hospitalisation would be
necessary.
Care Plus Medical Centre Scheme
Care Plus is a primary health care (PHO) service for
people with high health need due to chronic
conditions, acute medical or mental health needs, or
terminal illness.
You may be eligible for Care Plus if you are enrolled in
a PHO and your GP or practice nurse think you would
benefit from more support from their service. They
will work with you to plan your care where services
can be provided at low or reduced cost. Your GP or
nurse will give you more information and assess you to
see if you are eligible for Care Plus.
Prescription Card―Chemist
You can get a Prescription Card also known as the
Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card through your local pharmacy.
This allows for families/whānau receiving more than
20 prescription items in any one year to get further prescriptions free. The record is held with the
pharmacy, so ensure you go to the same pharmacy
for medications or take receipts if medicines were
purchased at a different pharmacy. The exception is a
part charge on non-subsidised drugs. The Prescription
Card is not income tested.
Travel Assistance
You may be entitled to a payment for travel
assistance. This is dependent on distance and number
of trips and/or in some circumstances, if you have a
Community Services Card. To apply you can call the
Ministry of Health Travel Assistance on 0800 281222
(press 2), or talk to your hospital social worker.
Working for Families Tax Credits
(Inland Revenue―IRD)
This is part of the Working for Families programme
where Inland Revenue pays family assistance to
working families/whānau with dependent children
aged 18 and under, and who meet the criteria. Ask
your social worker for more information or see the
For cancer information and support phone 0800 CANCER (226 237) or go to www.cancernz.org.nz
CANCER SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND • TE KAHU MATEPUKUPUKU O AOTEAROA
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
contact details at the end of this information sheet.
Useful contacts
Queries about benefits and
entitlements
Community Services Card National Centre
Phone 0800 999 999
Hospital social workers, oncology social workers at
treatment centres, or your local office of Work and
Income can help you with any questions or concerns.
There is an 0800 call centre number, where calls may
be anonymous. The Community Law Centre also may
be able to assist and advocate on your behalf.
Work and Income Contact Centre
Phone 0800 559 009
For patients in a hospital or treatment centre, the
hospital social workers may be able to arrange a visit
from Work and Income Liaison. In some instances Work
and Income also provide a home visit service to people
who are sick.
For in-patients, the hospital social workers can
arrange a visit from Work and Income Liaison. Work
and Income also provide a Home Visit Service to
people who are sick.
Work and Income website:
www.workandincome.govt.nz
Working for Families programme information
www.ird.govt.nz/familyassistance/ or
phone 0800 257 777
Ministry of Health National Travel Assistance information Phone 0800 281222. http://www.health.
govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/healthcare-services/hospitals-and-specialist-services/
travel-assistance/whos-eligible-travel-assistance
Community Law centres are in many areas of
Aotearoa/NZ and can provide independent free legal
advice and advocacy. Check your local directory or
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) http://www.communitylaw.org.nz/your-local-centre/find-a-communitylaw-centre/
This information sheet was reviewed in 2013 by the Cancer Society of New Zealand. The Cancer Society’s information sheets
are reviewed every three years.
For cancer information and support phone 0800 CANCER (226 237) or go to www.cancernz.org.nz