Carers: support if you care for someone and have lost work

Money for carers

Work and Income says it may be able to help if you care for an adult with a health condition, injury or disability, a child with a health condition or disability, or someone else's child. The right payment depends on your situation, so ring 0800 559 009 and describe what you do.

Supported Living Payment (carer)

• You give full-time care at home to someone other than your partner.
• You are 18 or older with no dependent child, or 20 or older with a dependent child.
• The person you care for needs hospital-level or residential-level care (such as rest home or residential disability care) and would be in that care otherwise.
• You are a NZ citizen, permanent resident or hold a residence class visa, with at least 2 years' continuous NZ residence after gaining that status.
• Income, including your partner's, may affect what you get. Check the current rules with Work and Income.

If you're caring for a child with a disability, Child Disability Allowance and Disability Allowance may also help; ask Work and Income. Disability Allowance is up to $82.85 a week and Child Disability Allowance up to $62.43 a week (Work and Income, from 1 April 2026), for ongoing disability-related costs.

Carer Support: breaks for you

Carer Support is a subsidy to help pay for relief care so you can take a break. It's funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (for older people and people with long-term health or mental health conditions) or by MSD Disability Support Services (for disabled people). It is for people giving more than 4 hours a day of unpaid care, and an assessment by a NASC (Needs Assessment Service Coordination) service is needed. Your allocation depends on the needs of both you and the person you care for.

• Ask the person's doctor or call a local NASC to arrange an assessment.
• Funded Family Care is separate: it can pay a family carer to provide some disability support. It also involves a NASC referral.
• Daily rates and days change. Confirm current amounts with your NASC or Health NZ.

CarersNZ publishes information for carers and may point you to local support.

Working around caring

• You can ask your employer for flexible working. Be specific: days, hours, location and a trial period.
• Discrimination on grounds of family status or carer responsibilities can be unlawful. See the women returning to work guide for the process.
• Employment NZ 0800 20 90 20 can explain your options.
• If you've lost work because of caring, tell Work and Income. A medical certificate or letter may help.

Looking after yourself

• Caring is physically and emotionally heavy. Accept breaks and help.
• Join a carers' group, online or locally.
• Talk to your GP about your own health and free counselling.
• Call or text 1737 any time. Healthline 0800 611 116 has free health advice.