Hon Ruth Dyson
Minister for Senior Citizens
Older New Zealanders secure big gains
Older New Zealanders will benefit greatly from a range of initiatives in this year’s budget, Senior Citizens Minister
Ruth Dyson said today.
"Budget 2007 provides the largest-ever investment in care and support of the elderly with $150 million over four years
invested in residential care and another $81.2 million in helping them stay in their own homes if they wish," said Ruth
Dyson
"We are building on last year's budget, which introduced a fair travel policy for home-based carers, and are continuing
efforts to raise pay levels in the aged care sector while providing quality care and positive choices for older people.
"Older and disabled people will get a further $6 million over the next four years for respite services, building on the
existing investment of the past year. The money helps to give both carers and clients a break from their living
situation.
"From 1 April this year more than half a million older New Zealanders have been better off due to increases in
Superannuation and Veterans Pensions. Single superannuitants living alone receive an extra $13.16 every week and
couples, an extra $20.24 a week.
"This is a result of benefits indexation and the Labour-led government's agreement with New Zealand First to ensure
Superannuation and Veteran Pension rates are not less than 66 per cent of the net average weekly wage.
As part of this package, the income thresholds for abatement of both the Disability Allowance and the Community Services
Card were increased to ensure no superannuitants and veteran's pensioners would lose their eligibility to these
entitlements. This represents total expenditure of $280.7 million from 2006/07 to 2010/11.
"All caregivers who receive an Unsupported Child’s Benefit, Orphan’s Benefit or Foster Care Allowance receive an
additional $10 per week, per child, to their weekly payments from 1 April this year. This increase provides enhanced
support for family caregivers such as grandparents and recognises their value to children who cannot be looked after by
their parents. This increase aligns the payments with the increases to Family Support payments."
ENDS