Qualifications

A client applying for Sole Parent Support must have 1 or more dependent children under the age of 14 years, and be one of the following:

• living apart from their partner, and lost the support or being inadequately maintained by their partner
• divorced or had their civil union dissolved
• single (never had a partner)
• has lost the regular support of their partner, as their partner has been imprisoned, or subject to release, or detention conditions that prevent employment or
• their partner has died

To qualify for Sole Parent Support a client must:

• be aged 20 years or older and
• have continuously lived in New Zealand for 2 years or more since becoming a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and
• be ordinarily resident in New Zealand when they first apply for a benefit

In some situations the client may not be the natural or adoptive parent of the child but Work and Income can still regard the child as their own.

For more information see:

• Determining who is a parent

When the youngest dependent child turns 14 years of age, the client's Sole Parent Support is automatically transferred to Jobseeker Support.

Jobseeker Support will commence on the date that the Sole Parent Support expires as if they had applied for Jobseeker Support, unless there is information to suggest the client will not qualify for Jobseeker Support.

Generally, clients applying for Sole Parent Support will be asked to provide details of a third party who can verify their relationship status.

For more information see:

• Verification of relationship status

A client applying for Sole Parent Support may be required to complete pre-benefit requirements.

For more information see:

• Core policy Pre-benefit requirements