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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Assistance - Extended payment of benefits for children aged 18 years or over who continue education

103: Provisions relating to children aged 18 years or over who continue education

You could also call this:

“Money help for 18-year-olds still in school”

If you’re 18 years old, not making your own money, and still going to school or university, this law might apply to you. The government can decide to keep giving money to help support you, even though you’re legally an adult.

This money could be an orphan’s benefit or an unsupported child’s benefit if you’re eligible for those. Or, if someone else gets benefits and you’re counted as their dependent child, the government might keep paying extra for you.

The government can do this until the end of the year you turn 18. After that, they’ll stop this special arrangement on the next payday after 31 December.

Remember, the government doesn’t have to do this. They can choose to help for as long as they think is right, up until that December deadline.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783314.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Banking and loans
Education and learning > School education
Education and learning > Higher education
Family and relationships > Children and parenting
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102: Special assistance: status of, and access to, notices, or

“This rule about special help notices no longer exists”

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104: What this Part does, or

“This part explains the duties of MSD and people who get benefits”

Part 2 Assistance
Extended payment of benefits for children aged 18 years or over who continue education

103Provisions relating to children aged 18 years or over who continue education

  1. This section applies where a child (C) aged 18 years—

  2. is not financially independent; and
    1. is attending school or a tertiary educational establishment.

      1. Despite C being 18, MSD may for such period as MSD determines (expiring not later than the pay day immediately after 31 December in the year in which C turns 18)—

      2. grant or continue to pay an orphan’s benefit or unsupported child’s benefit in respect of C:
        1. pay any other benefit at the appropriate rate that includes C as a dependent child of the beneficiary.

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