Payment rate - International Custody Dispute Payment
The maximum weekly rate of payment must not exceed the equivalent of the Sole Parent Support payable to a sole parent plus an accommodation component equivalent to the Accommodation Supplement.
Any income is reduced dollar for dollar.
For more information see:
- International Custody Dispute Payment and income
- SNG International Custody Dispute Payment [no link find out why] assessment sheet
Assessment of accommodation costs
If the client is in New Zealand for the custody dispute, the maximum accommodation costs payable is equivalent to the amount of Accommodation Supplement that person would receive, if eligible and getting a main benefit (considering their location, accommodation costs and family composition, etc).
Example
A sole parent with 2 children living in Area 3 paying $225.00 per week rent would be able to get $160.00 as that is the maximum rate for Area 3 (as at 1 April 2026).
per week | |
Client pays rent of | $225.00 |
Less entry threshold (as at 1 April 2026) | $160.00 |
Equals | $65.00 |
The client is eligible for up to 70% of $65.00 | |
$73.00 x 0.70 | $45.50 |
Round up to the nearest whole dollar | $46.00 |
Check against maximum for Accommodation Supplement - Area 3 $160.00 (as at 1 April 2026) | |
Total payment for accommodation costs | $46.00 |
Sole Parent Support net rate (as at 1 April 2026) | $521.52 |
Less any income received | $0.00 |
Total amount of SNG International Custody Dispute Payment | $567.52 |
Clients who are overseas
If the client is overseas for the custody dispute the maximum additional amount payable for accommodation costs is equivalent to the amount of Accommodation Supplement that the person would receive, if eligible and a non-beneficiary residing in Accommodation Supplement Area 1.
The client's accommodation costs are those resulting from the accommodation in which they are currently residing (not in respect of any ongoing accommodation costs in New Zealand).
You will need to transfer the accommodation costs to New Zealand dollars. You can do this using SELXT.
Use the New Zealand dollar amount in the general formula for calculating the amount of accommodation supplement and treat the client as a non-beneficiary.
For determining the maximum, assume the client is living in Accommodation Supplement Area 1.
Example
A sole parent with one child living in Sydney paying A$180.00 per week rent. A$180.00 = NZ$194.32. This person also receives $50.00 per week in income from an investment.
per week | |
Client pays rent of | $194.32 |
Less entry threshold (as at 1 April 2026) | $160.00 |
Equals | $34.32 |
The client is eligible for up to 70% of $34.32 | |
$34.32 x 0.70 | $24.02 |
Round up to the nearest whole dollar | $25.00 |
Check against maximum for Accommodation Supplement - Area 1 $235.00 (as at 1 April 2026) | |
Total payment for accommodation costs | $25.00 |
Sole Parent Support rate (as at 1 April 2026) | $521.52 |
Less any income received | $50.00 |
Total amount of Special Needs Grants - International Custody Dispute Payment | $496.52 |
The assessment of accommodation costs (for the exchange rate calculation) will need to be recalculated when the payment is extended due to new court dates or if requested by the client.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Applicants awaiting the outcome of an international child custody and access dispute clause 15C Special Needs Grants Programme
