Dependent child
A dependent child for Supported Living Payment 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 Supported Living Payment does not include a:
- child getting payments under section 363 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
- child for whom Orphan's Benefit 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)
Primary responsibility
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).
There are some situations when the person has principal responsibility of a child is not clear.
Maintained as a member of the family
The child should be integral part of the family, participating in the usual family activities (for example family outings and 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 Supported Living Payment.
Care and protection concerns
If MSD believes any child has been, or is likely to be harmed (physically, emotionally or sexually), ill-treated, abused, neglected, deprived or MSD has concerns about the wellbeing of the child, the case must be referred to Oranga Tamariki.
For more information see:
Legislation
- dependent child (definition) schedule 2 Social Security Act 2018
