Stop Splitting Disability Benefits Between Partners
The issue
In New Zealand, thousands of disabled individuals like myself rely on their disability allowances to manage essential personal needs, including medical appointments, therapy sessions, and essential living costs. The current policy of dividing benefits between partners regardless of financial interdependence ignores the autonomy and specific needs of the disabled individual. This system needs immediate revision to prevent financial exploitation and to uphold the dignity of every disabled person.
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Disabled people in de facto relationships are facing an unfair and largely invisible policy problem. Under current Work and Income rules, part of a disabled person’s benefit can be paid directly into their partner’s account — even when finances are separate, there is no shared access, and the partner does not need the money.
While partner income is used for income testing, this policy goes further — it treats partners as beneficiaries of someone else’s disability support. For example, I receive a disability allowance of approximately $11 per week to cover my monthly doctor expenses. WINZ sends half to me and half to my boyfriend, even though we are not financially interdependent. Having to ask my partner to redirect my own $5 each week is unnecessary, frustrating, and undignified. Imagine those receiving more. In situations where a disabled person’s partner might misuse or withhold these funds, it could lead to serious financial abuse. No disabled person should be put in this vulnerable position.
Disability support exists to meet the individual needs of people with disabilities. No one should lose control of their benefits simply because of their relationship status.
By signing this petition, you are calling on the New Zealand Parliament to:
1) Review how de facto relationship rules are applied to disability benefits;
2) Ensure that benefits are assessed and paid on an individual basis unless there is clear evidence of financial interdependence;
3) Protect disabled people’s right to autonomy, dignity, and independence.
Your signature can help push for real legislative change and ensure that disabled people keep control of the benefits they are entitled to.
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The issue
In New Zealand, thousands of disabled individuals like myself rely on their disability allowances to manage essential personal needs, including medical appointments, therapy sessions, and essential living costs. The current policy of dividing benefits between partners regardless of financial interdependence ignores the autonomy and specific needs of the disabled individual. This system needs immediate revision to prevent financial exploitation and to uphold the dignity of every disabled person.
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Disabled people in de facto relationships are facing an unfair and largely invisible policy problem. Under current Work and Income rules, part of a disabled person’s benefit can be paid directly into their partner’s account — even when finances are separate, there is no shared access, and the partner does not need the money.
While partner income is used for income testing, this policy goes further — it treats partners as beneficiaries of someone else’s disability support. For example, I receive a disability allowance of approximately $11 per week to cover my monthly doctor expenses. WINZ sends half to me and half to my boyfriend, even though we are not financially interdependent. Having to ask my partner to redirect my own $5 each week is unnecessary, frustrating, and undignified. Imagine those receiving more. In situations where a disabled person’s partner might misuse or withhold these funds, it could lead to serious financial abuse. No disabled person should be put in this vulnerable position.
Disability support exists to meet the individual needs of people with disabilities. No one should lose control of their benefits simply because of their relationship status.
By signing this petition, you are calling on the New Zealand Parliament to:
1) Review how de facto relationship rules are applied to disability benefits;
2) Ensure that benefits are assessed and paid on an individual basis unless there is clear evidence of financial interdependence;
3) Protect disabled people’s right to autonomy, dignity, and independence.
Your signature can help push for real legislative change and ensure that disabled people keep control of the benefits they are entitled to.
Petition Updates
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Petition created on 29 December 2025