COVID-19 absences and closures

When a child is absent from OSCAR care or the provider is closed due to COVID-19 requirements, OSCAR Subsidy can continue being paid if the client still qualifies.

A fee does not have to be charged to hold the child's place open for payments to continue.

COVID-19 requirements means New Zealand's COVID-19 Alert System. The alert system is designed to manage and minimise the risk of COVID-19. There are 4 alert levels and each one sets out the public health and social measures we must take. For example, at Alert Level 3 people generally need to stay home except for essential activities like grocery shopping.

Each alert level places restrictions on things like travel, business activity and personal movement. Alert levels can apply to the whole country, or to parts of it. Different areas of New Zealand can be at different alert levels at the same time.

COVID-19 requirements can affect OSCAR in a number of ways. Children may need to be absent because they are unwell, connected to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, or are at high risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19.

Providers may need to close because they are unable to operate within public health guidelines, they are connected to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, or an Alert Level 4 lockdown is in place.

An absence or closure due to COVID-19 requirements means that a child is absent, or a provider is closed because it is required by the COVID-19 Alert System guidelines.

Generally verification about the reason for an absence or closure due to COVID-19 requirements is not required. However if you have doubts about the situation, you can ask the client or provider for verification.

The client must continue to qualify for OSCAR Subsidy for it to be paid during an absence or closure due to COVID-19 requirements.

If the client has a change in circumstances that affects their eligibility, their OSCAR Subsidy must be reviewed. If they no longer qualify, OSCAR Subsidy must be stopped.

Aroha has been getting OSCAR Subsidy of 20 hours per week because her son attends OSCAR care while she works. Her payments continued while the OSCAR provider was closed at Alert Level 3 because Aroha's work situation stayed the same and the closure was due to COVID-19 requirements.

Aroha has now lost her job and her last day will be this Friday. Her OSCAR Subsidy will stop from the beginning of next week as Aroha is no longer engaged in an approved activity.