What this calculator includes
Eight common cost groups, four payment frequencies, five household income limits, the six-month condition check, Residential Care Subsidy exclusion, five-cent payment rounding and the $82.85 weekly cap.
New Zealand · 2026/27 rates
Disability Allowance Calculator NZ: How Much Could You Get?
Add your regular, out-of-pocket disability costs and check the published income limit. The calculator converts every expense to a weekly amount, applies the payment rounding rule and caps the estimate at the current maximum.
Estimated Disability Allowance
$56.10/week
Planning estimate based on the regular out-of-pocket costs entered below.
- Regular costs converted to weekly
- $56.08
- Published weekly maximum
- $82.85
- Household income limit
- $870.00 /week
- Estimated fortnightly payment
- $112.20
- Estimated annual payment
- $2,917.20
Work and Income decides which costs and income count. You will normally need a medical certificate and proof of each cost. This estimate is not an approval.
Estimate, not an approval: this models the standard rules and rates from 1 April 2026. Work and Income decides whether a condition, cost and source of income qualify and may use information not covered here.
What still needs a Work and Income assessment
Residency, financial dependence for a child, whether a cost is additional and directly related to the disability, other agency funding, chargeable income, medical evidence and less common policy exceptions.
How the Disability Allowance estimate works
Disability Allowance reimburses accepted regular costs rather than paying one flat rate to everyone. Enter the amount you actually pay after insurance, subsidies or other help.
- 1
Enter each cost
Use the extra out-of-pocket amount caused by the disability or health condition.
- 2
Convert it to weekly
Fortnightly costs are divided by two, monthly costs use 12 ÷ 52, and annual costs are divided by 52.
- 3
Add and round
An amount below the maximum is rounded up to the next five cents; a positive amount under 50 cents becomes 50 cents.
- 4
Apply the maximum
The estimated payment cannot exceed $82.85 a week, even when accepted costs are higher.
Disability Allowance income limits from 1 April 2026
These are the published gross weekly limits. The amount Work and Income treats as income may differ from a simple pay figure, so use this table as a screening check.
| Household situation | Gross weekly limit |
|---|---|
| Single, 16–17 years | $696.60 |
| Single, 18 years or older | $870.00 |
| Couple, with or without children | $1,295.11 |
| Sole parent, 1 child | $971.51 |
| Sole parent, 2 or more children | $1,023.59 |
Worked weekly example
Monthly medical fees of $15.00 become $3.46 a week, and monthly prescriptions of $20.00 become $4.62. Adding $18.00 travel and $30.00 extra heating gives $56.08. Rounded up to the next five cents, the estimate is $56.10 a week.
Costs above the maximum
If accepted weekly costs total more than $82.85, the standard payment remains capped at that amount. Keep evidence for the full expense because Work and Income still needs to establish the regular disability-related cost.
Costs that may be considered
A cost generally needs to be regular and ongoing, directly caused by a disability expected to last at least six months, additional to ordinary living costs, and not fully funded by another organisation.
Medical fees
Doctors, specialists, medical fees and approved treatments.
Prescriptions and treatments
Prescription charges, supplements and other approved treatment costs.
Travel
Extra travel for treatment, counselling or daily disability needs.
Extra heating and power
The extra portion of power, gas or heating caused by the condition.
Food, clothing and consumables
Special food, extra clothing and disability-related consumables.
Counselling
Approved counselling sessions and related travel.
Equipment and services
Medical alarms, rented equipment, gardening or approved support services.
Other costs
Another regular cost that a practitioner can connect to the disability.
A listed cost is not automatically approved
Work and Income may ask a health practitioner to confirm why the cost is needed and compare it with what a person without the disability would usually pay. Only the portion left after insurance, ACC, health funding or another subsidy can normally be considered.
How to apply for Disability Allowance
- 1
Start the correct application
Existing clients can use the Disability Allowance form. New clients can apply through MyMSD or complete the Extra Help application.
- 2
Get medical confirmation
Ask the relevant health practitioner to complete the medical section and connect each claimed expense with the condition.
- 3
Attach proof of costs
Use receipts, invoices, account statements or travel records. Contact Work and Income early and return requested information promptly.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Disability Allowance in NZ in 2026/27?
The published maximum is $82.85 a week from 1 April 2026. Your approved amount is based on regular, ongoing disability-related costs and can be lower than the maximum.
How does this Disability Allowance calculator work?
It converts each entered cost to a weekly amount, adds the costs, rounds a payment below the maximum up to the next five cents, and applies the $82.85 weekly cap. It also checks the published household income limit and two basic eligibility questions.
What costs can Disability Allowance help with?
Depending on your circumstances, accepted costs can include medical fees, prescriptions, treatment, disability-related travel, extra heating, special food, clothing, counselling, medical alarms, equipment and support services. The cost must be ongoing, directly related to the condition and not fully covered elsewhere.
Does Disability Allowance have an income limit?
Yes. From 1 April 2026, the published gross weekly limits range from $696.60 for a single person aged 16 or 17 to $1,295.11 for a couple. Work and Income determines which income is chargeable in an individual assessment.
Is Disability Allowance taxed?
No. Work and Income publishes Disability Allowance as a non-taxable weekly payment.
Can I receive Disability Allowance while on a main benefit?
Possibly. Disability Allowance is extra help and may be paid alongside a main benefit if you meet the health, cost, income and residency rules. Work and Income completes the final assessment.
Can a child receive Disability Allowance?
A parent or caregiver may apply for a financially dependent child aged 18 or under. Disability Allowance and Child Disability Allowance can sometimes be paid for the same child, but Oranga Tamariki board payments can affect eligibility.
What proof do I need to apply?
A health practitioner generally needs to confirm the disability and the relationship between the condition and claimed costs. You should also provide receipts, invoices, account statements, travel records or other evidence showing the regular amount you pay.
How do I apply for Disability Allowance?
Existing Work and Income clients can use the Disability Allowance application form. New clients can apply through MyMSD or use the Extra Help application. Work and Income says returning a completed application within 20 working days of first contact may protect the start date.
Official Disability Allowance sources
The maximum, income limits, calculation method, accepted-cost rules and application links come from current Work and Income guidance. Check the official assessment if your circumstances change.
Disability Allowance guides
Read the eligibility rules, compare Disability Allowance with Supported Living Payment, or work through the application form step by step.
Disability Allowance NZ: Who Can Get It, How Much and How to Apply
Check Disability Allowance eligibility, the $82.85 weekly maximum, income limits, costs Work and Income may cover and the evidence needed to apply correctly.
Read guideSupported Living Payment vs Disability Allowance: What’s the Difference?
Compare Supported Living Payment with Disability Allowance, including purpose, eligibility, 2026/27 amounts, tax treatment and whether you can receive both.
Read guideDisability Allowance Form NZ: How to Fill It In Step by Step
Work through the NZ Disability Allowance form step by step. See which form to use, what costs to list, and the medical and payment evidence to attach.
Read guideRelated New Zealand benefit tools
You might also find these useful
A few more tools picked from across KiwiTools.
Personalised platesUte personalised plate ideas NZGenerate personalised and custom ute number plate ideas for NZ. Explore work, farm, off-road and name-based combinations, then check availability online.Explore plate ideasOutdoor findersFind dog-friendly walks in New ZealandFind dog-friendly walks and tracks across NZ. Compare on-lead and off-lead access, difficulty and time, then confirm local dog rules before you go.Find a dog-friendly walkTax & incomeTake-home pay calculator NZEstimate salary after PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver and student-loan deductions.Estimate take-home pay