Financial Help When Your Child Has A Disability Or Chronic Condition

Financial Help When Your Child Has A Disability Or Chronic Condition

Financial support may be available because of your child's extra needs. 

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Where do I get financial help if my child has a disability or chronic condition?

You may be able to get financial support because of your child's extra needs. 

You can talk about which allowances you might be able to get with your:

  • family doctor
  • paediatrician
  • social worker
  • child development service

Suppport from a needs assessment

Children with disabilities may be able to get financial support from having a needs assessment. See KidsHealth's information about needs assessment

Support through Work and Income - Te Hiranga Tangata

This includes:

  • Child Disability Allowance 
  • Disability Allowance
  • Childcare Assistance
  • Community Services Card

    For information and application forms, visit the Work and Income - Te Hiranga Tangata website or:

    • go to your nearest Work and Income office
    • call Work and Income on 0800 559 009
    • talk to your social worker, paediatrician, child development service

    Other support 

    • National Travel Assistance Scheme (from Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand)
    • Mobility Parking Permit scheme (from CCS Disability Action)
    • discount taxi fares (through the Total Mobility Scheme)
    • lottery grants
    • help if your child needs glasses

    Can I get the Child Disability Allowance?

    This is an allowance for the main carer of a child with a serious disability. It is paid because of the extra care needed for that child.

    The Child Disability Allowance is a set amount and doesn't depend on your income, assets or costs.

    What do I need to do to get the Child Disability Allowance?

    To receive the allowance, you need to be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

    You will need to complete a Child Disability Allowance application form (PDF, 484KB).

    Your family doctor or paediatrician needs to complete the medical certificate at the end of the form. This includes questions about whether your child can get the allowance.

    For more information, including current rates, you can go to the Work and Income website or call free on 0800 559 009.

    Check the information about the Child Disability Allowance at the Work and Income - Te Hiranga Tangata website. You can also find out the current rates for the Child Disability Allowance.

    Can I get the Disability Allowance?

    You may be able to get this allowance as well as the Child Disability Allowance. It is a weekly payment for families of children who have regular, ongoing costs because of their child's disability. The amount you get depends on how much you and your partner earn. There is a limit to how much you can claim per week.

    What are some examples of costs the Disability Allowance may cover?

    Some costs might be:

    • visits to the doctor
    • medicines
    • extra clothing
    • heating
    • travel to medical services or counselling

    What do I need to do to get the Disability Allowance?

    You must be caring for the child who has the disability. Your doctor needs to sign an application form. You will need to send in receipts for your ongoing costs, with your application, and then every year after that.

    Ask your healthcare worker for a form.

    Find out more about the Disability Allowance at the Work and Income - Te Hiranga Tangata website. 

    What help can I get for childcare costs?

    Work and Income may be able to give you help towards childcare costs. It depends on your circumstances and how much you and your partner earn.

    Find out about childcare and types of childcare assistance at the Work and Income - Te Hiranga Tangata website. 

    Types of Childcare Assistance

    Can I get a Community Services Card?

    The Community Services Card can help you and your family with the costs of healthcare. You'll pay less for some health services and prescriptions. If you have not received one, and think you should have, please phone Work and Income on 0800 999 999.

    Find out about the Community Services Card at the Work and Income - Te Hiranga Tangata website.

    What other help can I get from Work and Income?

    Work and Income has a wide range of other financial help. 

    If you have costs that you can't meet on your own, contact Work and Income on 0800 559 009.

    You could also use the 'Check what you might get' guide at the Work and Income - Te Hiranga Tangata website. You can also check the types of extra help you can get.

    Can I get help for travel and accommodation costs if my child has a disability?

    If you have to travel long distances (or travel often) for your child's treatment, you may be able to get some costs covered under the National Travel Assistance (NTA) Scheme. 

    Find out about the National Travel Assistance (NTA) Scheme at the Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand website. 

    Can I get a Mobility Parking Permit if my child has a disability? 

    The Mobility Parking Permit scheme provides people with Mobility Parking Spaces. Talk to your family doctor about whether your child can get this.

    You can get information and application forms at the CCS Disability Action website.

    You could also contact your nearest or your local CCS Disability Action branch. Or call free on 0800 227 2255.

    Can I get help with taxi fares if my child has a disability?

    You may be able to apply for discount taxi fares through the Total Mobility scheme. Local and regional councils provide this service. To find out if you qualify, speak to your social worker or contact your local or regional council. You can also call Enable free on 0800 362 253 for contact details for your local council.

    Can I apply for any grants for extra help if my child has a disability? 

    You can make applications to organisations such as the New Zealand Lotteries Commission, Halberg Trust and the Variety Club for assistance for vehicle modification, sporting activities or specialised equipment. For information on these options, please contact your needs assessment facilitator, health professional, social worker in the community, or ward social worker if your child is an inpatient.

    Is there any other financial help I can get?

    Check the KidsHealth page about financial help for raising a family to see if there's any other help you may be able to get.

      This page last reviewed 19 September 2022.

      Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 any time of the day or night for free health advice when you need it