Many people assume that aged care funding is only available once someone has fully stopped working or lost most of their independence. As a result, older people who are still active often rule themselves out — even when day-to-day tasks are becoming harder.
In reality, being independent or still working does not automatically exclude someone from aged care funding. This article explains how independence and work fit into eligibility decisions in New Zealand, and why support can still be relevant earlier than many people expect.
Why This Assumption Is So Common?
Aged care support is often associated with later stages of ageing. Because of this, people frequently believe that:
- Support is only for people who are no longer active
- Working or volunteering means they won’t qualify
- Asking for help is “too early”
These assumptions are understandable, but they don’t always reflect how eligibility is assessed.
What Eligibility Is Usually Based On?
For home-based support, eligibility is generally based on assessed need, not employment status or lifestyle alone.
Most publicly funded home and community support in New Zealand is overseen by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand and coordinated through Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) assessments.
Assessments look at how someone is managing in daily life, including safety, function, and wellbeing — not whether they are still working or socially active.
Can Someone Still Working Be Eligible?
Yes.
Some people who are still working or volunteering may:
In these situations, support may be considered even though the person remains active in other areas of life.
Independence Doesn’t Mean No Support Is Needed
Living independently doesn’t always mean managing everything alone.
Many people live independently while:
- Needing help with specific tasks
- Managing health conditions that affect energy or balance
- Recovering from surgery or illness
- Relying on informal family support
Support is often considered to maintain independence, rather than replace it.
Why People Rule Themselves Out Too Early?
People often assume they won’t qualify because they:
- Still drive
- Live alone successfully
- Work part-time or full-time
- Don’t see themselves as “needing care”
As a result, they may delay exploring options until a crisis occurs.
Short-Term Support Can Apply Here Too
Short-term support, such as after a hospital stay or illness, may be considered regardless of employment status.
This type of support is often focused on:
- Recovery
- Safety during a vulnerable period
- Preventing setbacks
It does not usually lead to long-term support automatically.
A More Practical Way to Look at Eligibility
Rather than focusing on whether someone is still working or independent, it’s often more helpful to consider:
- What tasks are becoming harder
- Where safety risks are appearing
- Whether support could help maintain current independence
Because eligibility depends on individual circumstances, many people find it useful to start with a general eligibility check.
A free eligibility checker can help:
- Clarify whether funding pathways may apply
- Reduce uncertainty before taking next steps
- Support informed decision-making
It’s designed as a starting point, not a decision or guarantee.
Important Note
Information about eligibility while working or living independently is general in nature. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and usually requires formal assessment through the public health system.