Child Disability Allowance

Child Disability Allowance is paid in recognition of the extra care and attention needed for a child or young person with a serious disability.

  • Who can get it

    You may be able to get a Child Disability Allowance if:

    • you're the main carer of the child (or if there is no main carer, you have care of the child for the time being)
    • you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
    • the child has been assessed as needing constant care and attention for at least 12 months because of a serious disability
    • the child or young person is under 18.

    Both you and the child should also normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.

  • How much you can get

    The Child Disability Allowance is $49.26 a week for each child who qualifies. This is a set amount and doesn't depend on your income, assets or costs.

    It's a fortnightly payment made to the main carer of the child or young person with a serious disability.

  • Are you eligible?

    Complete the Eligibility test to find out if you could get Child Disability Allowance. This tool will also tell you what other help you may be able to get.

  • How to apply

    If you're applying for other help online, you'll be provided with a Child Disability Allowance form to download when you submit your online application.

    Otherwise, you can download the Child Disability Allowance application form and log in to Connect to upload it.

    linksChild Disability Allowance Application Form (PDF 189.86KB)

    If you're eligible, we can grant you the Child Disability Allowance from the date you first contact us to ask for help, as long as you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.