NZ Benefits Guide

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Disability Allowance — 2026 Rates and Full Guide

Updated with Work and Income rates effective 1 April 2026. The Disability Allowance is a weekly payment for people who have regular, ongoing costs because of a disability — things like doctor and hospital visits, medicines, extra clothing, or travel. The most important thing to know: you don't have to be on a benefit to qualify. This guide covers the current rates, the income limits, which costs can be included, and exactly how to apply.

Every figure on this page comes from the official Work and Income pages, which are cited with links at the end and inline. If your circumstances differ, Work and Income makes the final decision — never rely on a third-party summary for a payment amount.

How much you can get (April 2026 rates)

Payment typeMaximum weekly rate (NZ$)Taxable?
Standard Disability Allowance — maximum$82.85No
Special Disability Allowance$51.67No
Child Disability Allowance$62.43No

You can get up to $82.85 a week, and how much you actually get depends on the extra costs you can prove. The payment is not taxed and you don't have to pay it back. It is paid straight into your bank account on the same day as any other Work and Income payments you receive. Source: Work and Income — Disability Allowance and Benefit rates at 1 April 2026.

Income limits before tax (from 1 April 2026)

Whether you qualify, and how much you get, depends on how much you and your partner earn. The weekly income limits before tax published by Work and Income are:

Source: Work and Income — Disability Allowance (income limits table).

Who can get it

You may get a Disability Allowance if you:

You can also apply on behalf of a child aged 18 or under who is financially dependent on you. In that case the child must meet the criteria above (except the income limits) and your income must be under the limits. You may be able to get both the Disability Allowance and the Child Disability Allowance for the same child, but you can't get a Disability Allowance if you receive Oranga Tamariki Board payments for the child. Source: Work and Income.

Costs that can be included

Work and Income publishes the list of regular, ongoing disability-related costs that count. Your health practitioner must confirm you need these costs, and you must provide proof when you apply. The list includes:

Source: Work and Income — Costs that can be included.

How to apply — the five steps

  1. Fill in the application form. If you already get payments from Work and Income, use the Disability Allowance application form for existing clients. If you don't, apply online through MyMSD or use the paper Extra Help application form. If you contact Work and Income first and complete the application within 20 working days, assistance can be granted from the date you first contacted them.
  2. Visit your health practitioner and ask them to complete a Disability Certificate confirming the disability is ongoing and which extra costs can be included.
  3. Gather proof of your costs — receipts showing the date, cost and reason (for car travel they need your car's cc rating and distance travelled; for power, your summer and winter electricity bills).
  4. Get your documents to Work and Income — drop off or post to a service centre, or upload to MyMSD (call first). First-time applicants must bring ID and banking/income/residency documents in person.
  5. Attend an appointment if requested — phone or face-to-face.

Source: Work and Income — How to apply.

Reviews, renewals and changes of costs

Work and Income reviews Disability Allowance circumstances at least once every 52 weeks, sometimes using a "Confirming your Circumstances" form. You may need a fresh Disability Certificate when told. If your disability costs go up, down, start or stop, you must tell Work and Income — for new or increased costs you'll need a medical certificate and proof. If you're unsure which costs are already in your allowance, you can check in MyMSD.

If you're also struggling with housing costs, check whether you're entitled to the Accommodation Supplement, and see the full 2026 benefit rates table for every main benefit. For one-off crises, Temporary Additional Support and the Special Needs Grant may fill gaps the Disability Allowance doesn't cover. General application steps are in our how to apply guide.

Official sources