Trust Series 2026 – Residential Care Subsidies – Part 1

Note: this webinar is the first of a 2-part series.  You can save 10% by purchasing both webinars together. 

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Start with the essentials—Part 1 of this practical webinar series breaks down the basics of Residential Care Subsidy applications, giving you the clarity and confidence to advise clients effectively

Residential Care Subsidy (RCS) applications have three components:

• a needs assessment
• a means assessment, and
• an income assessment.

However, there are many hurdles for applicants and their families to consider. This was recently highlighted by RNZ with the headline “Confusion as families hit with extra rest home surcharges despite subsidies.”

This practical webinar series will provide a clear overview of the relevant rules, thresholds, and processes supported by explanatory case studies. It is relevant to all practitioners who advise clients regarding RCS applications or expectations and will be presented in two parts.

Part 1 will cover:

• premium rooms and additional services
• relevant thresholds for means testing
• exempt assets
• gifting thresholds and excess gifting
• deprivation
• how far back MSD can look
• income assessment
• exempt income
• considerations regarding mutual wills arrangements and life interests
• options to address a decline

Part 2 will cover:

• the application process
• practical considerations and common challenges when completing the application,
• changes in circumstances
• what happens once the subsidy is granted
• the impact and involvement of trusts in a RCS context, and
• what trustees can expect regarding long-term care costs.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This webinar will enable practitioners to competently advise clients regarding long term asset and estate planning, further their understanding of common pitfalls to avoid, and build an awareness of how to avoid costly structures that prove ineffectual for Residential Care Subsidy purposes.

SUITED TO

All practitioners involved in long term asset and estate planning and advisors with elderly clients.

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VICKI AMMUNDSEN TRUST LAW

PRESENTER

Vicki Ammundsen, Director, Vicki Ammundsen Trust Law

Vicki is a director at Vicki Ammundsen Trust Law. Vicki's approach to trust law is practical but also grounded in a good understanding of trust law principles, related legislation, and case law. As the author of a number of texts including Taxation of Trusts, the Trustee's Handbook and Trustee Liability, Vicki is well placed to provide advice on all areas of trust law.