Community Services Card

The Community Services Card helps people and their families with the costs of health care. It is administered by Work and Income on behalf of Health New Zealand. They will assess your application.

On this page

Eligibility for a Community Services Card

Eligible people include:

  • people 16 years and over (not a dependent child)
  • New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
  • people who normally live in Aotearoa New Zealand and intend to stay here
  • people who have, or have applied for, refugee or protection status. 

You also need to be either:

  • on a low income
  • living in public housing 
  • receiving an accommodation supplement.

For more information:

Some SuperGold Card holders may have a Combo card that includes their Community Service Card details and expiry date on the back of their card.

What the Community Services Card provides

The Community Services Card can reduce the cost of:

  • visits to your regular general practice for cardholders and their dependants
  • visits to a general practice you are not enrolled with 
  • prescription fees
  • fees for after hours general practice visits
  • glasses for tamariki under 16
  • emergency dental care provided by hospitals and approved dental contractors (cardholders should ask the dental provider if they are an approved contractor)
  • travel and accommodation for treatment at a public hospital outside the home area when the patient has been referred (at least 80 km away for adults and 25 km for tamariki)
  • home help.

The card can also be used for dependent tamariki aged under 18 years.

Lower cost general practice visits for enrolled patients

Most practices across Aotearoa New Zealand offer lower cost visits for CSC holders and their dependants (aged 14 to 17 years). 

Most tamariki aged 13 and under can go to their enrolled general practice and some after hours practices free of charge.