Caring for others
We understand that caring for others can sometimes be difficult. You may be able to get help with costs and support so you can have a break.
Help with living, health and housing expenses
We may be able to help you with your living expenses, health and housing costs.
If you're struggling to support yourself or your family, please contact us. We can often help.
Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) – care of sick or infirm
Assistance for full-time carers of someone at home.
Accommodation Supplement
Help with your rent, board or the cost of owning a home
Community Services Card
A card that can help you and your family with the costs of health care. You'll pay less on some health services and prescriptions.
Supporting children and families
We can support you while you're looking after children. You may be able to get help with living expenses, health, housing or childcare.
Away from Home Allowance
An allowance to help you with the living costs for 16 or 17 year olds who are living away from home while on a tertiary or training course.
Help when you need a break
You may be able to get home help or have someone take over the caring duties while you have a break.
Home Help
If you're a parent or carer we may be able to help you with the cost of things such as laundry, housework, cooking and childcare.
Websites that may help
Respite care - Ministry of Health
If you're the unpaid, full-time carer of a disabled person, respite care may allow you to have a break.
Help for foster carers
If you're looking after someone else's child, we may be able to help you with living expenses and other costs such as heath, housing and childcare costs.
Unsupported Child's Benefit
Assistance if you're a carer supporting a child or young person whose parents can't care for them because of a family breakdown.
Orphan's Benefit
Assistance if you're a carer supporting a child or young person whose parents have either died, can't be found or can't look after them because they have a long-term illness or incapacity.
Accommodation Supplement
Help you with your rent, board or the cost of owning a home.
Community Services Card
A card that can help you and your family with the costs of health care. You'll pay less on some health services and prescriptions.
Websites that may help
Child, Youth and Family
Promoting the wellbeing and safety of children and supporting positive parenting.
Contact us
Everyone's situation is different. We're here to help if you need it.
Contact us if you:
- would like assistance
- aren't sure if you can get assistance
- are struggling to support yourself or your family
- would like more information.