Dependent child

A dependent child for Emergency Benefit is a child who is:

• primarily the responsibility of the client
• maintained as a member of that family
• financially dependent on that client
• in the custody of the Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki but has been returned to their parent's care

A dependent child for Emergency Benefit does not include a:

• child getting payments under section 363 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
• child for whom Orphan's or Unsupported Child's Benefit is being paid and
• young person getting a Young Parent Payment and their child (see Dependent children, young parents and the child's parent or step parent examples)
• not a child for whom a Young Parent Payment is being paid (except in relation to that child's parent or step-parent). That is, a young person getting Young Parent Payment (and their child) cannot also be included in another main benefit as neither of them are considered a dependent child. For more information see:
  Examples of dependent children, young parents and the child's parent or step parent

The client must be responsible for the day-to-day care of the child and be the person who makes the major decisions concerning the child's life (for example schooling and health care).

There are some situations where the person who has primary responsibility of a child is not clear.

The child should be an integral part of the family, participating in the usual family activities (for example outings and annual holidays).

In some situations, a child may not be living at home but is still considered to be a dependent child.

Dependent children should be included in the assessment of Emergency Benefit.