What is the Winter Energy Payment?

It is a payment to help with heating costs over winter for people receiving NZ Super or a main benefit. It is paid automatically at a weekly rate over the winter period, with a higher rate for couples and people with dependants.

Who gets the Winter Energy Payment?

People getting NZ Super, a veteran pension or a main benefit generally receive it automatically over winter, unless they opt out. You do not usually need to apply.

How much is the Winter Energy Payment?

There is a weekly rate for single people and a higher rate for couples or those with dependants, paid across the winter weeks. The rates and dates are set by the government and change, so check the current figures.

Winter Energy Payment Calculator

This New Zealand calculator estimates the Winter Energy Payment you may receive over the colder months, based on your household situation. It uses current rates as inputs with a prompt to confirm eligibility, helping superannuitants and beneficiaries understand a payment that helps with winter power bills.

Your situation

Weekly rate for your situation

Winter weeks paid

estimated Winter Energy Payment for the season

Per week$0

Per fortnight$0

Enter the current weekly rate for your situation, since the single and couple-or-dependants rates and the number of winter weeks are set by the government and change over time. It is usually paid automatically with your NZ Super or benefit unless you opt out. Estimate only, confirm eligibility with Work and Income.

How it works

The Winter Energy Payment is paid at a weekly rate over the winter period, with a higher rate for couples and people with dependants than for single people. The calculator multiplies the weekly rate for your situation by the number of winter weeks to estimate the total for the season, and shows the weekly and fortnightly amounts. Because it is usually paid automatically, this helps you see what to expect rather than how to claim.

Worked example

At a couple-or-dependants rate of $31.82 a week over 22 winter weeks, the payment is about $700 for the season, around $63.64 a fortnight. A single person on a lower weekly rate would receive proportionally less.

Related calculators

Pension Calculator: NZ Super income.
Home Heating Cost Calculator: heating costs.
Benefit Entitlement Estimator: other support.
Budget Calculator: household budget.

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