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Social Security Act 2018

Factors affecting benefits - Factors affecting benefits - Factors affecting benefit: hospitalisation

206: Hospitalisation

You could also call this:

“How your benefit changes if you're in hospital for a long time”

If you’re getting a main benefit and you have to stay in hospital, your benefit might change. This happens if you’re in hospital for more than 13 weeks and you either have a partner but no kids who depend on you, or you’re single.

After you’ve been in hospital for 13 weeks, your benefit will be paid at a different rate. This new rate is listed in Part 12 of Schedule 4. However, the people who manage your benefit might decide to pay you more if they look at your personal money situation and think you need it.

Even if you leave the hospital for a short time after the 13 weeks, your benefit won’t change back to the original amount. This applies as long as you’re not out of the hospital for more than 28 days at a time.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783545.

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“Financial help for refugees and others in special situations”

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207: Benefit of spouse or partner increased after 13th week of hospitalisation, or

“Your partner's benefit may increase if you're in hospital for a long time”

Part 4 Factors affecting benefits
Factors affecting benefits: Factors affecting benefit: hospitalisation

206Hospitalisation

  1. The main benefit under this Act of a person (P) is affected by hospitalisation if P—

  2. is in hospital for a period of more than 13 weeks; and
    1. has a spouse or partner but no dependent children or is single.

      1. The rate of P’s benefit after the 13th week is the rate specified in Part 12 of Schedule 4 except that MSD may pay P a higher rate after taking into account P’s personal financial circumstances.

      2. The rate of benefit that is paid to P under subsection (2) is not affected by any absence or absences from hospital of P—

      3. after the 13th week of hospitalisation; and
        1. lasting no longer than 28 days.

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