Living with arthritis can impact many areas of your life including your finances. If you're finding it harder to manage everyday tasks, travel to appointments, or cover costs like prescriptions, there may be financial support available to help you and your whānau.
Financial help for arthritis will depend on your individual needs, income, and circumstances. Some supports are income-tested (means-tested), others consider your assets (asset-tested), and most will require documentation like a diagnosis, proof of income, or a rental agreement. It’s okay to ask questions as it can be a bit of a maze, but there are ways through.
Be prepared to share your story
When applying for any kind of financial help, you’ll likely be asked about:
- Your income and living costs (e.g. rent or mortgage)
- Your relationship status and family situation
- Your immigration status
- How arthritis affects your daily life
These questions can feel personal, but they help decision-makers understand your needs and what you’re entitled to. Gathering your documents ahead of time, like a doctor’s certificate, pay slips or a rental agreement, can make the process smoother.
Home help
If arthritis makes it hard to do everyday tasks like cooking, showering, or cleaning, you may qualify for home help.
This starts with a Needs Assessment, which is done through a local NASC (Needs Assessment and Service Coordination) service. You’ll need to be eligible for publicly funded healthcare in New Zealand. Your assessor will talk with you about what tasks are tricky, and may recommend a care plan that includes:
- Help with personal care (like showering or dressing)
- Cooking or meal services
- Housework and gardening support
- Equipment or home modifications
- Personal alarms and nursing support
Your eligibility may be means-tested, so it's helpful to bring documents like pay slips, rental agreements, or medical certificates.
Find your local NASC
Enabling Good Lives
If you're living in Christchurch, Waikato or MidCentral, you may be able to access extra support through the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) programme, a pilot designed to give disabled people more choice and control over the support they receive.
EGL is about Whānau Oranga, helping you live well in your own way, with the right support around you. Though many people with arthritis haven't heard of this programme, it could be worth exploring.
Prescription and pharmacy costs
Most people in New Zealand pay no more than $5 per subsidised medication. If you hold a Community Services Card or are over 65, you might be exempt from these charges altogether. Every bit helps, especially when you’re managing long-term conditions.
