What this calculator answers
It selects a standard household rate, applies the published two-tier income reduction and shows estimated weekly, fortnightly and annual amounts. Couple results are combined.
New Zealand · rates from 1 April 2026
Supported Living Payment calculator NZ
Estimate the weekly payment for someone with a qualifying long-term health condition, injury or disability, or for someone providing qualifying full-time care. Work and Income makes the official eligibility and payment decision.
Estimated Supported Living Payment
$424.60/week
Estimated after tax at the M rate for single, 18 or older, without dependent children.
- Maximum weekly rate
- $424.60
- Gross weekly rate before tax
- $489.21
- Entered weekly income
- $0.00
- Personal earnings exemption
- $0.00
- Income used for this estimate
- $0.00
- Estimated income reduction
- $0.00
- Estimated weekly payment
- $424.60
- Estimated fortnightly payment
- $849.20
- Income cut-out for this estimate
- $818/week
The first $160 of chargeable weekly income is ignored. The next $90 reduces payment by 30 cents per dollar, then income above $250 reduces it by 70 cents per dollar.
Payment estimate only: this models standard 2026/27 rates and the weekly income test. It cannot assess medical evidence, care needs, residence, work capacity, special earnings exemptions or every partner situation.
What it does not decide
It is not a disability assessment or WINZ approval. Work and Income decides whether a condition is permanent and severe, whether care meets the required level and what income or exemptions apply.
How the 2026/27 estimate works
The calculator starts with the maximum weekly payment after tax at the M tax code. It then applies the standard income test to chargeable weekly income and stops the estimate at zero at the applicable cut-out.
- 1
Select the rate
Your household situation selects the single, sole-parent or combined couple rate.
- 2
Work out chargeable income
A qualifying disability-based recipient’s own earnings can receive the standard $20 personal earnings exemption.
- 3
Apply the income tiers
The first $160 is ignored, followed by 30-cent and 70-cent reductions across the published tiers.
Maximum Supported Living Payment rates for 2026/27
These standard weekly rates apply from 1 April 2026. Net figures are after tax at the M rate, and couple figures are combined before any income reduction.
| Situation | After tax (M) | Before tax | Weekly cut-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, 16-17, without dependent children | $355.87 | $405.90 | $720 |
| Single, 18 or older, without dependent children | $424.60 | $489.21 | $818 |
| Sole parent | $581.96 | $679.95 | $1,043 |
| Couple without dependent children (combined) | $721.44 | $823.56 | $1,243 |
| Couple with dependent children (combined) | $756.94 | $866.60 | $1,293 |
Standard income test
Chargeable income from $160 to $250 reduces the payment by 30 cents per dollar. Income above $250 reduces it by 70 cents per dollar. For couples, the same result is shown against the combined rate.
Personal earnings example
A single adult entering $300.00 of their own earnings receives a $20.00 exemption in this model. The estimated deduction is $48.00, leaving $376.60 a week.
Health condition, injury or disability
You generally need to be 16 or older and permanently and severely restricted in your ability to work, or totally blind. Work and Income describes this as being unable to regularly work 15 hours or more a week in open employment.
Providing full-time care
The care must be at home for someone other than your partner who would otherwise need hospital or residential-level care. Age rules differ depending on whether you have a dependent child.
Important exclusions
The estimate does not model the full personal-earnings disregard for total blindness, a discretionary severe-disablement exemption, hospital rates, a non-qualified partner, a partner receiving NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension, different tax codes, sanctions or debts. It also excludes Disability Allowance, Accommodation Supplement, Winter Energy Payment, Temporary Additional Support and Working for Families.
Official Supported Living Payment sources
KiwiTools uses Work and Income’s published rates, income tiers, cut-out points and personal earnings guidance effective from 1 April 2026. Confirm your assessable income and any exemption directly with Work and Income.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Supported Living Payment in NZ in 2026/27?
From 1 April 2026, standard after-tax M-code rates range from $355.87 a week for a single 16- or 17-year-old to $581.96 for a sole parent. The combined couple rate is $721.44 without dependent children or $756.94 with dependent children. Income can reduce these amounts.
Who can qualify for Supported Living Payment?
It may be available if you are permanently and severely restricted in your ability to work by a health condition, injury or disability, are totally blind, or provide qualifying full-time care at home. Residence, age, medical and income rules also apply, and Work and Income makes the decision.
How does income reduce Supported Living Payment?
For the standard income test, the first $160 of chargeable weekly income is ignored. Income from $160 to $250 reduces the payment by 30 cents per dollar, and income above $250 reduces it by 70 cents per dollar. Couple rates use the combined payment and combined income.
Can I work while receiving Supported Living Payment?
Yes, but earnings can affect the amount and Work and Income may review whether you still meet the qualifying work-capacity rules. This calculator estimates the payment effect only and does not assess hours or ongoing eligibility.
What is the personal earnings exemption?
A person receiving Supported Living Payment because of their own qualifying health condition, injury or disability may have up to $20 a week of their own earnings disregarded. It does not apply to a full-time carer, partner income or passive income. Larger or different exemptions can apply in special cases.
Are earnings treated differently if I am totally blind?
Yes. Work and Income guidance says all personal earnings of a totally blind recipient may be disregarded. Because other income and partner-income rules can still apply, this calculator does not model that exception; ask Work and Income for an individual calculation.
Does this include Disability Allowance or Accommodation Supplement?
No. It estimates Supported Living Payment only. Disability Allowance, Accommodation Supplement, Winter Energy Payment, Temporary Additional Support, Working for Families and other help are separate.
Does this calculator confirm WINZ eligibility?
No. Work and Income, often called WINZ, decides eligibility, medical evidence, the income it will assess, exemptions, obligations and the approved amount. Use this as a planning estimate only.
Supported Living Payment and Disability Allowance guides
Check the eligibility tests, application evidence and difference between a main benefit and help with ongoing disability-related costs.
Supported Living Payment NZ: Who Qualifies, How Much You Get and How to Apply
See who can get Supported Living Payment, 2026/27 weekly rates, income deductions, evidence to prepare and how to apply through MyMSD safely online now.
Read guideDisability 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.
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