Accommodation Supplement - Rosemary

Rosemary was nearly 65 and was looking forward to retiring from her part-time job. However, she was concerned that she might not be able to afford to stay in the cottage she had been renting for five years.

She was paying $150 a week rent and calculated that her regular weekly income, including New Zealand Super, would be about $270 after tax.

There was nothing cheaper available in the area and Rosemary did not want to move away from her family. She decided to discuss her situation with Work and Income NZ. They looked at Rosemary's situation and said she would be entitled to an accommodation supplement of around $54.00 a week to help with her rent.

This calculation was based on Rosemary having no assets and receiving the single living alone rate of NZ Super, plus a small amount of other income.

Rosemary was relieved she had been granted an accommodation supplement. She could now afford to stay in her rental cottage and continue to live close to family.