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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Assistance - Young parent payment

56: Young parent payment: requirements

You could also call this:

“Rules for getting money as a young parent”

You can get a young parent payment if you meet certain requirements. You need to be a parent or step-parent of at least one child who depends on you. You also need to be ready to study. You must live in New Zealand and have little or no money coming in.

Your age and relationship status are important too. If you’re 16 or 17 years old, have never been in a relationship, and don’t have enough support from your parents, you might qualify. If you’re 18 or 19 and have never been in a relationship, you could also be eligible. You might also qualify if you’re between 16 and 19 years old and have been in a relationship before, but aren’t currently with someone who gets a benefit.

It’s worth noting that if your spouse or partner has a child who depends on them, that child is treated as your dependent child too when it comes to this payment.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783219.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Banking and loans
Family and relationships > Children and parenting
Education and learning > School education
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“Extra money for young people who follow special rules”

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57: When person is study ready, or

“When you're ready or available for full-time study or training”

Part 2 Assistance
Young parent payment

56Young parent payment: requirements

  1. A person (P) is entitled to a young parent payment if—

  2. P is a parent or step-parent of at least 1 dependent child; and
    1. P is study ready; and
      1. P meets the residential requirement; and
        1. P has no or minimum income; and
          1. P falls into 1 of the following categories:
            1. P is aged 16 or 17 years, has never been in a relationship, and has a parental support gap:
              1. P is aged 18 or 19 years and has never been in a relationship:
                1. P is aged 16 to 19 years and is or has been in a relationship, but is not currently in a relationship with a specified beneficiary.

                2. For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a dependent child of a young person’s spouse or partner must also be treated as a dependent child of the young person.

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