Government Subsidy

A Government Subsidy known as The Wigs and Hairpieces service payment is a payment to people who suffer from temporary or permanent hair loss because of a medical condition or from certain cancer therapies. The payments are to reduce the cost of purchasing and maintaining a Wig or Hairpiece and obtaining Headwear such as hats and turbans.

To claim you

  • Must be a New Zealand citizen or ordinarily resident in New Zealand

and

  • have a current medical certificate with your NHI number, details of the hair loss condition and whether it is permanent or temporary from your specialist or general practitioner (GP)

Next

  • choose the right wig or hairpiece for you
  • we can make a claim on your behalf from the Ministry of Health (cashless transaction)

or

  • purchase your wig and make a claim yourself

Current entitlements

Entitlement inclusive of GST

Entitlement period

Adults over 18 years with permanent hair loss

$2330.66

9 years

Adults over 18 years with temporary hair loss

$408.88

1 year

Children under 18 years with temporary or permanent hair loss

$1226.66

3 years
or until you turn 18, if that happens first


The Entitlement period is time over which each grant applies from the time of your first claim. You can claim all of or part of your entitlement at any time over the entitlement period.

More information is available on the Ministry of Health website: Click here