Qualifications

To receive a School and Year Start-up Payment:

• Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit must be payable on the last day of February or
• Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit would be payable on the last day of February but for the child's temporary absence from New Zealand

and

• the client must have applied for the School and Year Start-up Payment between the first Monday after 10 January and last day of February each year, unless the client has a good and sufficient reason for not applying within these dates

When a client has good and sufficient reason that prevented them from applying for a School and Year Start-up Payment in the specified time period, a payment may still be considered if they were receiving Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit on the last day of February.

The guiding principle in determining "good and sufficient" reason is one of "reasonableness". Having considered the client's circumstances, would it have been "reasonable" for the client to have applied for the School and Year Start-up Payment between the first Monday after 10 January and the last day of February.

The list of good and sufficient reasons (but not limited to) are:

• death of a close relative
• severe illness or hospitalisation of client or family member
• essential overseas travel
• where a child comes into care after the last day of February and has costs associated with starting a new school

Decide in favour of the client if any doubt remains.

Some clients may be granted Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit for multiple children.

A client can get a School and Year Start-up Payment for each child included in their Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit and listed on the application form for School and Year Start-up Payment.

A client may apply for a School and Year Start-up Payment when the Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit is suspended as the child is overseas.

An application for School and Year Start-up Payment may be paid if the child meets all the qualifications and the absence from New Zealand is temporary and the child is returning to New Zealand.

The Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit must be current as at the last day of February for a School and Year Start-up Payment to be made.