New Zealand · Bereavement
Financial Support After Losing a Partner in New Zealand
After a partner dies, money is often the last thing you want to think about. But knowing what support is available — and acting on it promptly — can make a real difference in the weeks and months ahead. Here's what Work and Income, ACC, and other agencies can offer.
Funeral Grant
Up to $2,697.43
Who administers it
Work and Income
Means tested?
Yes — income and assets
WINZ helpline
0800 559 009
Immediate help from Work and Income
Two payments are available right away, regardless of whether you were receiving any benefit before your partner died.
Funeral Grant — Work and Income may pay up to $2,697.43 toward funeral, burial, or cremation costs if your partner's estate cannot cover these expenses. The grant is means-tested: it depends on the estate's income and assets, not yours. Apply as early as possible — ideally before the funeral takes place, once you have a quote from a funeral director. Call WINZ on 0800 559 009.
Travel to the funeral or tangi — If you need to travel to attend the funeral and cannot afford to, WINZ may be able to help. If you are currently receiving a benefit, this can be provided as an Advance Payment of Benefit. If you are not on a benefit, a Recoverable Assistance Payment may be available (this is a loan you repay over time).
Don't wait. Both the Funeral Grant and travel assistance are time-sensitive. Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 as soon as possible — you don't need to be on a benefit to apply, and the Funeral Grant does not need to be paid back.
Ongoing income support
If your household income has dropped significantly following your partner's death, you may qualify for ongoing support from Work and Income. Which benefit you can apply for depends on your situation.
Sole Parent Support — If you have dependent children, you may be eligible for Sole Parent Support. This provides a regular weekly payment to help cover living costs. There are work obligations attached to this benefit, though WINZ considers your circumstances, particularly in the period following a bereavement. You must meet income and asset thresholds to qualify.
Jobseeker Support — If you don't have dependent children, or your children are older, Jobseeker Support is the main income support option available. It requires you to be looking for work or participating in employment activities, though exceptions and exemptions exist depending on your health and circumstances. It is income and asset tested.
Supported Living Payment — If you have a health condition or disability that affects your ability to work, Supported Living Payment may be appropriate. This is not specifically tied to bereavement but may be relevant if your circumstances have changed.
Use Work and Income's online eligibility checker to see what you might be entitled to, or call 0800 559 009 to talk it through with someone directly.
If your partner was on NZ Super or a Veteran's Pension
If your partner was receiving NZ Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension, Work and Income needs to be told promptly. You can do this online or by calling WINZ.
If you are also receiving NZ Super as part of a couple, your payment rate will change from the married/partner rate to the single rate following your partner's death. From 1 April 2026, each partner in a couple receives $854.08 per fortnight. As a single person living alone, this increases to $1,110.30 per fortnight — so your individual payment will go up. WINZ will adjust this when they are notified.
If the death was caused by an accident
If your partner died as a result of an accident or injury — including a workplace accident, a motor vehicle crash, or any other injury covered by ACC — you may be entitled to significantly more support through ACC.
ACC can help with funeral costs (separate from the Work and Income Funeral Grant), a weekly compensation payment based on your partner's earnings, and a lump-sum independence allowance. These payments are generally more generous than what Work and Income provides, and they do not go through the WINZ means-test in the same way.
Contact ACC on 0800 101 996 or visit acc.co.nz for full details on what may be available.
Other financial matters to sort
Beyond Work and Income and ACC, there are several other financial loose ends that often arise when a partner dies:
- KiwiSaver — Your partner's KiwiSaver balance forms part of their estate and can be claimed by the executor. Contact the KiwiSaver provider directly; this is separate from the IRD process.
- Life insurance — Check whether your partner held any life or funeral insurance. Your partner's employer may also have had a group life insurance policy. Notify insurers promptly as claims have time limits.
- Shared bank accounts — Banks handle this differently. Notify your bank as soon as practical. Many will freeze sole accounts while allowing access to joint accounts.
- IRD and tax — Your partner's tax affairs need to be finalised. This includes any final income tax return and cancelling their IRD number in due course. The myTrove service can help you notify IRD (and other agencies) in one place.
- The estate — If your partner had assets in their name alone, probate or an estate administration process may be required before those assets can be transferred. See our NZ probate guide for more.
Not sure where to start?
Financial support is just one part of a much longer list of things to manage after a partner dies. Our free tool helps you work out what needs doing and in what order — based on your specific situation.