What is a medical alarm? Am I eligible for one?

A medical alarm can provide peace of mind for you and your family in the event of a medical emergency. Most are small pendants or wristbands that you wear. If you fall or become unwell, you press the button and the alarm connects you to a monitoring centre. The staff there can talk to you, send an ambulance, or contact a family member or neighbour.

There are two main types:

• an in-home alarm, which only works in and around your home
• an anywhere alarm, which works at home and when you're out

In New Zealand, there is a weekly charge to rent and monitor a medical alarm and this varies between suppliers.

If you are eligible for a Disability Allowance the cost of renting a medical alarm may be fully funded. The medical alarm has to be supplied by an MSD-accredited medical alarm supplier.

Who can apply for a Disability Allowance?

You can apply for a Disability Allowance for you, your partner or a child. You must be 16 and older and be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

The person who needs a medical alarm must:

• have a health condition or disability that's likely to last at least 6 months from when they were diagnosed
• have regular, ongoing costs because of the health condition or disability that are not fully covered by another agency
• not be getting a Residential Care Subsidy

Your income, and your partner's, must also be under a set limit. The weekly limits before tax are:

• $870 if you're single (18 or older)
• $1,295.11 if you're a couple.

A health practitioner must also confirm that the person who needs a medical alarm:

• needs the medical alarm because of the health condition or disability
• is going to need the medical alarm on an ongoing basis
• needs the medical alarm because without it their life or health would be put at risk, or the disability would be aggravated.

How much can I get?

Work and Income will pay a maximum a week for Disability Allowance. How much you get for your medical alarm depends on your situation.

This cannot be used to pay for:

• buying a medical alarm (one-off cost)
• buying smoke alarms or security alarms
• any alarm costs you've already paid for in the fee for living in a retirement village or complex
• additional items to your medical alarm, e.g., fall detectors or pressure pads.

Visit the Disability Allowance page on the Work and Income website for details about how to apply.

You can find medical alarm providers on Making Life Easier at Home