Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Assistance - Unsupported child’s benefit

46: Unsupported child’s benefit: requirements

You could also call this:

"Help with money for kids with no parent to care for them"

You might get an unsupported child's benefit if a child has no parent to care for them or provide for their support. This can happen if the child's family has broken down. A parent can be a natural parent, an adoptive parent, or a step-parent, as explained in section 31(b)(ii).

You are entitled to this benefit if you are an eligible caregiver for the child and you or the child meet certain rules about living in New Zealand.

To get the benefit, you must be an eligible caregiver and either the child must be living in New Zealand, or you must have lived in New Zealand for at least 12 months at some point.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS5963.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Banking and loansFamily and relationships > Children and parenting
Previous

45: Orphan’s benefit to be used for benefit of child, or

"Money for orphans must be used to take care of the child"

Next

47: Who is eligible caregiver, or

"When you can be called a main caregiver for a child"

Part 2Assistance
Unsupported child’s benefit

46Unsupported child’s benefit: requirements

  1. This section applies if, because of the circumstances specified in subsection (2), a child has no parent (as defined in subsection (3)) who is able to—

  2. care for the child; or
    1. provide fully for the child’s support.

      1. The circumstances are that there has been a breakdown in the child’s family.

      2. A parent, in relation to a child, and for the purposes only of this subpart and section 31(b)(ii), means a natural parent, an adoptive parent, or a step-parent of the child.

      3. A person (P) is entitled to an unsupported child’s benefit for the child if—

      4. P is an eligible caregiver of the child; and
        1. either—
          1. the child is both resident and present in New Zealand; or
            1. P has been both resident and present in New Zealand for a continuous period of 12 months at any time.

            Compare