Residential care subsidy

If you are aged 65 or over and have been needs assessed as requiring long term care and if you need financial help to pay for it, you might qualify for a Residential Care Subsidy.

For an explanation of the subsidy and the asset testing regime visit the Ministry of Health website or call the Information Line on 0800 737 777.

To assess whether you qualify for a Residential Care Subsidy, Work and Income take into account the value of your assets. If your assets are at, or less than, the applicable asset threshold Work and Income will assess your income and work out how much you need to pay toward your care. For information about these limits, check out the Work and Income website.

For a couple, where only one person is in long-term residential care, the house and car are exempt as well as personal items and a prepaid funeral up to $10,000.

For more information on eligibility and assessment criteria contact Work and Income on 0800 999 727.

The Auckland District Health Board also provides information for older people on options for care and accommodation on its Seniorline website.

The booklet ‘Long-term Residential Care for Older People What you need to know” is available on the Ministry of Health’s website.

Now, read about home ownership, your options for renting, what retirement villages offer and the Retirement Villages Act, and rest home or private hospital care.