The Accommodation Supplement is a weekly payment from Work and Income that helps people with the cost of renting, boarding, or paying a mortgage. It’s available to people on low-to-middle incomes — you don’t need to be on a main benefit to qualify.
The Accommodation Supplement (AS) pays up to $305/week (Auckland, single) or up to $420/week (Auckland, couple with children). The amount you receive depends on your income, assets, household size, and where you live. You can receive the Accommodation Supplement even if you're working — it's income-tested, not employment-tested. Apply via Work and Income.
Maximum Weekly Rates by Zone (2026)
Work and Income divides NZ into accommodation supplement zones, with higher rates in high-cost areas:
Single person
| Zone | Area | Max weekly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Auckland (most suburbs) | $305 |
| Zone 2 | Queenstown Lakes, Wellington city, North Shore, Waitematā | $275 |
| Zone 3 | Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier, Hastings, Nelson, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Porirua | $230 |
| Zone 4 | Most other NZ areas | $185 |
Couple (no children)
| Zone | Max weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | $365 |
| Zone 2 | $330 |
| Zone 3 | $270 |
| Zone 4 | $215 |
Single parent with 1–2 children
| Zone | Max weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | $390 |
| Zone 2 | $355 |
| Zone 3 | $300 |
| Zone 4 | $250 |
Couple with 1–2 children
| Zone | Max weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | $420 |
| Zone 2 | $380 |
| Zone 3 | $320 |
| Zone 4 | $265 |
Rates are reviewed regularly and updated by the government. Always verify at workandincome.govt.nz.
How the Accommodation Supplement is Calculated
The AS does not simply pay the maximum rate. It’s calculated based on a formula:
AS = (Actual housing cost − Income threshold) × Assistance rate
In practice, the formula accounts for:
- Your actual weekly housing costs (rent, board, or mortgage)
- Your net income (after tax)
- An income threshold (below which AS assistance increases)
- The zone maximum (AS cannot exceed the zone cap)
Work and Income will calculate your specific entitlement during your application.
Income and Asset Tests
Income test
AS is income-tested. As your income rises, your AS payment reduces. Approximate thresholds where AS begins to reduce (2026):
| Household type | Approx. income threshold |
|---|---|
| Single person | ~$480/week net (after tax) |
| Couple | ~$780/week combined net |
| Single parent with children | ~$600/week net |
Above these thresholds, the supplement reduces — but you may still receive a partial amount until your income is significantly higher.
Asset test
| Household type | Asset threshold (liquid assets) |
|---|---|
| Single, no dependants | $8,100 |
| Single, with dependants | $10,300 |
| Couple, no dependants | $16,200 |
| Couple, with dependants | $20,600 |
Liquid assets include savings, shares, and other accessible cash. Your home and KiwiSaver are generally excluded.
Who Is Eligible
You may be eligible for the Accommodation Supplement if:
- You are a NZ citizen or permanent resident
- You are ordinarily resident in NZ
- You or your partner are not receiving a benefit that already includes an accommodation component (though some benefit recipients can still receive AS separately)
- Your income is within the income limits
- Your assets are within the asset limits
- You have genuine accommodation costs — rent, board, or mortgage payments
You do not need to be on a main benefit (Jobseeker, NZ Super, etc.) to receive the Accommodation Supplement. Many working people qualify.
Renting vs Owning — Different Rules
Renters and boarders
AS is based on your actual weekly rent or board payment.
Homeowners (mortgage)
AS is based on your actual weekly mortgage payment. However, AS is not available if you own other property (investment properties) — owning a rental disqualifies you from AS.
Students
Tertiary students may qualify for the Accommodation Benefit through StudyLink rather than the Work and Income Accommodation Supplement — the two systems are separate.
How to Apply
- Visit workandincome.govt.nz and apply online, or call 0800 559 009
- Gather your: tenancy agreement (showing your rent amount), income details (payslips or bank statements), bank account details, IRD number, proof of identity
- Work and Income assesses your application — usually within 5–10 working days
- If approved, payments are made fortnightly directly to your bank account
Common Reasons People Miss Out on AS
1. Not knowing they qualify while working. Many working NZ renters in Zone 1 (Auckland) earning under $55,000 would receive meaningful AS payments — but never apply because they assume it’s only for beneficiaries.
2. Moving without notifying WINZ. AS is zone-based. If you move between zones without notifying Work and Income, you may be overpaid (creating a debt) or underpaid.
3. Changes in rent. If your rent increases, notify Work and Income — your AS may also increase. This is not automatic.
4. Changes in household. A partner moving in or out, or a child leaving home, affects your entitlement. Report changes within 20 working days.
Accommodation Supplement vs Rent Subsidy (Kāinga Ora)
| Feature | Accommodation Supplement | Kāinga Ora social housing |
|---|---|---|
| Who provides it | Work and Income (cash payment to you) | Kāinga Ora (subsidised rental property) |
| You choose your landlord? | Yes — any landlord, any property | No — Kāinga Ora assigns a property |
| How to access | Apply via Work and Income | Apply for social housing register |
| Waitlist | No waitlist | Often years-long waitlist in Auckland/Wellington |