Carer Support Subsidy Explained: What It Is and How It Works
Carer Support is a New Zealand subsidy that gives full-time unpaid carers a break — it reimburses some of the cost of having someone else look after your loved one while you take time out, rather than paying you directly for your own caregiving hours.
What it is
Carer Support provides an allocation of days (treated as a yearly budget) that reimburses costs for arranging respite — a support worker, a friend or family member staying over, a day program, or a short stay in a care home. It can also fund purchases that give you a break, such as home monitoring equipment.
Who administers it
- • Health NZ (Te Whatu Ora): for older people, and people with long-term chronic health conditions or mental health and addiction issues
- • Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People: for people with disabilities
Which one applies to you depends on the condition or disability of the person you care for.
Who qualifies
- • Available to full-time carers — generally people providing more than 4 hours a day of unpaid care
- • Access requires a needs assessment from a Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) service — your GP, mental health clinician, or specialist can help you get this assessment
- • Your allocation (number of days/hours) is based on both your needs and those of the person you care for
Can a paid family member get this too?
Yes, in some cases — family or whānau who are already “employed” by a home support provider as paid carers may also be eligible for Carer Support, and your needs assessor will advise you if this applies.
How much it’s worth
The minimum daily rate is $83, though this may be higher in some regions. Confirm the current rate — it is periodically reviewed. Note that Carer Support Subsidy payments may be treated as part of overall income for tax purposes, depending on your circumstances — worth checking with Inland Revenue or Work and Income if you also receive a benefit.
How to get started
- • Contact your GP, mental health clinician, specialist, or local NASC service to request a needs assessment
- • Once assessed, your Carer Support allocation is confirmed within a few days
- • Arrange respite care, keep receipts, and submit a claim — see our guide to submitting the Carer Support claim form
Keeping track of your caregiving and claims
Since claiming Carer Support means keeping receipts, tracking days used, and submitting documentation, staying organised makes a real difference here. FeatherKeep tracks your care hours and related expenses automatically as you go.
Related guides
- • How to submit the Carer Support claim form
- • Supported Living Payment for carers — ongoing weekly income support
- • Benefits eligibility checker