What this calculator includes
Rent, board and eligible homeowner costs; Areas 1–4; five household types; common main-benefit thresholds; accommodation income; the cash-asset test; and the non-beneficiary income reduction.
New Zealand · 2026/27 rates
Accommodation Supplement Calculator NZ: How Much Rent Help Can You Get?
Estimate weekly help with rent, board or eligible home ownership costs. The calculator shows the threshold, 70% subsidy, area cap, income reduction and asset check behind the result.
Estimated Accommodation Supplement
$165/week
This estimate reaches the $165 weekly maximum for the selected area and household.
- Accommodation cost entered
- $550.00
- Qualifying weekly cost
- $550.00
- Entry threshold
- $93
- 70% subsidy before area cap
- $319.90
- Area 1 weekly maximum
- $165
- Income threshold
- $693/week
- Estimated fortnightly payment
- $330
- Estimated annual payment
- $8,580
Work and Income decides which costs, income and assets count. The estimate does not cover NZ Super, Veteran's Pension, mixed-benefit couples, students or other special cases.
Estimate, not an approval: this models common 2026/27 cases using published Work and Income settings. The agency decides which costs, income and assets count and whether an exemption or special rule applies.
Cases that need a manual check
NZ Super, Veteran's Pension, students, partners on different payments, non-qualified partners, residential care, shared tenancies and unusual ownership arrangements can use different rules.
How the Accommodation Supplement estimate works
The payment is not a percentage of your full rent. It starts only after qualifying weekly accommodation costs pass the entry threshold, and the selected household and address area set a maximum.
- 1
Find qualifying costs
Rent and eligible homeowner costs count directly. Only 62% of board counts, and accommodation income is deducted.
- 2
Subtract the threshold
The entry threshold depends on household, main payment and whether the costs are rent or board versus home ownership.
- 3
Apply 70% and the cap
Work and Income pays up to 70% of costs above the threshold, capped by Areas 1–4.
- 4
Check income and assets
Non-beneficiary income can reduce the amount by 25 cents per excess dollar. Cash assets can reduce or end eligibility.
Maximum weekly rates by household and area
These non-taxable maximums apply from 1 April 2026. A result may be lower when qualifying costs do not reach the maximum or when income is assessed.
| Household | Area 1 | Area 2 | Area 3 | Area 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no dependent children | $165 | $105 | $80 | $70 |
| Couple, no dependent children | $235 | $155 | $105 | $80 |
| Couple with dependent children | $305 | $220 | $160 | $120 |
| Sole parent, 1 child | $235 | $155 | $105 | $80 |
| Sole parent, 2 or more children | $305 | $220 | $160 | $120 |
Do not guess the area from a city name alone. Start with the official area definitions, then ask Work and Income to confirm an exact address if needed.
Published rent example
A single non-beneficiary in Area 1 pays $180.00 rent and earns $750.00 before tax. The cost formula gives $60.90, income reduces it by $14.25, and the rounded estimate is $47 a week.
Published board example
A sole parent on Sole Parent Support pays $400.00 board. At 62%, qualifying accommodation cost is $248.00. After the $168 threshold, the estimate is $56 a week.
Cash assets
The maximum is $8,100 for a single person and $16,200 for a couple or sole parent. Accessible savings and investments usually count; the main home, everyday vehicle and locked KiwiSaver generally do not.
Income when you are not on a main benefit
Income over the household threshold reduces Accommodation Supplement by 25 cents per whole excess dollar. Assets above $2,700 for a single person or $5,400 for others can also add deemed income.
Homeowner settings change from 1 April 2027
This calculator is deliberately dated to 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Work and Income says the entry threshold for certain homeowner costs will rise from 30% to 40% of the relevant base rate on 1 April 2027. Rent and board are not affected, and exemptions apply to people receiving NZ Super, Veteran's Pension or Supported Living Payment.
How to apply
- 1
Start the right application
New clients can apply through MyMSD or the Extra Help form. Existing clients use the Accommodation Supplement application.
- 2
Gather proof
Prepare evidence of rent, board or accepted ownership costs, plus income, partner details and cash assets.
- 3
Contact Work and Income promptly
Work and Income says assistance may start from first contact if the completed application is returned within 20 working days.
Frequently asked questions
How is Accommodation Supplement calculated in NZ?
Work and Income subtracts the applicable entry threshold from qualifying weekly accommodation costs, pays 70% of the remaining amount, and limits it to the maximum for the household and area. Income, assets and accommodation income can reduce or remove entitlement.
What is the maximum Accommodation Supplement in 2026/27?
The standard weekly maximum ranges from $70 for a single person in Area 4 to $305 for a couple with children or a sole parent with two or more children in Area 1. Your actual amount can be lower because of costs, income or assets.
Does Accommodation Supplement cover the full amount of my rent?
No. It covers up to 70% of qualifying accommodation costs above an entry threshold, subject to a regional maximum and the income and asset rules. You remain responsible for the rest of the rent or other housing costs.
How is board treated in the calculation?
Work and Income treats 62% of board as accommodation cost because the remaining 38% represents food and other services. The entry threshold and 70% subsidy are applied to the qualifying accommodation portion.
What are the Accommodation Supplement cash asset limits?
The published limit is $8,100 for a single person and $16,200 for a couple or sole parent. Some lump-sum exemptions can change an individual assessment. For a non-beneficiary, assets above a lower exemption can also create deemed weekly income.
Can I get Accommodation Supplement if I am not on a benefit?
Possibly. A non-beneficiary can qualify, but gross household income is tested. From 1 April 2026, the standard weekly income threshold is $693 for a single person, $1,066 for a couple without children, $1,117 for a couple with children and $906 for a sole parent.
Can public or social housing tenants get Accommodation Supplement?
Not when paying income-related rent for public housing supplied by Kāinga Ora or an approved community housing provider. Different housing support already applies in that situation.
How do I know whether I am in Area 1, 2, 3 or 4?
Start with the official Work and Income area definitions, then ask Work and Income to confirm the code for your exact address if needed. Statistical-area names do not always match common suburb, town or postal-address names.
How do I apply for Accommodation Supplement?
A new client can apply through MyMSD or use the Extra Help application. An existing client can use the Accommodation Supplement application and provide proof of housing costs. Contacting Work and Income promptly can protect the earliest possible grant date.
Official Accommodation Supplement sources
The formula, thresholds, area caps and asset rules come from current Work and Income guidance. Rates can change, so check the official assessment before making a housing decision.
Accommodation Supplement guides
Check the eligibility rules, compare area maximums, prepare an application or look up the correct entry threshold.
Accommodation Supplement NZ: Who Qualifies & How Much
Check Accommodation Supplement eligibility in NZ, including age, residence, housing costs, income and asset rules, plus a worked weekly payment example.
Read guideAccommodation Supplement Rates NZ: Max Payment by Area
Compare 2026/27 Accommodation Supplement maximums for Areas 1–4, see how household size changes the cap and follow a worked weekly rent example in NZ.
Read guideHow to Apply for Accommodation Supplement NZ: Steps
Follow the Accommodation Supplement application steps for new and existing Work and Income clients, including forms, evidence and the 20-working-day rule.
Read guideAccommodation Supplement Table NZ: Entry Thresholds
See 2026/27 Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds for rent, board and homeowner costs, with Jobseeker, Sole Parent and Supported Living tables by family.
Read guideRelated New Zealand benefit tools
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