NZ Government Content

Income support for carers

Domestic Purposes Benefit – Care of Sick or Infirm

The Domestic Purposes Benefit - Care of Sick or Infirm is for people who are caring full-time at home for a person who has a serious illness or disability and :

  • Needs full-time care
  • Is not your spouse or partner
  • Would otherwise need hospital care, rest home care, residential disability care, extended care services for severely disabled children and young people, or care of a similar kind.

If you're a parent who needs to provide full-time care and attention at home for your dependent child with high-needs, you may be able to get this benefit.

A doctor will need to complete a medical certificate advising whether the person you are caring for meets the medical criteria - this is usually the doctor of the person you are caring for.

There is an income limit for this benefit and you do not have to be single to receive it.