Clause 5. Relevant evidence required for a parental support gap determination

5

Relevant evidence required for a parental support gap determination

(1)

When making a determination under s 23G(1) of the Act, MSD must rely on relevant evidence available to MSD (for example, supplied to MSD by or on behalf of the specified young person) that provides information, to MSD's satisfaction, of a parental support gap.

(2)

Relevant evidence referred to in clause 5(1) is any of the following:

(a)

a document from an official source: or

(b)

a supporting statement written by a suitable person who is able to confirm the specified young person's circumstances.

(3)

For the purposes of clause 5(2)(a):

(a)

an official source includes (but is not limited to):

(i)

the public service:

(ii)

the New Zealand Police:

(iii)

a court:

(iv)

a health practitioner:

(v)

a lawyer: or

(vi)

a funeral director

(b)

a document includes (but is not limited to):

(i)

a death certificate:

(ii)

a birth certificate:

(iii)

a court order:

(iv)

a coroner's finding:

(v)

a police report or safety order:

(vi)

a medical certificate: or

(vii)

written confirmation of the parent's death.

(4)

For the purposes of clause 5(2)(b), a suitable person is a person who is:

(a)

not an immediate family member;

(b)

at least 20 years old;

(c)

willing to be contacted by MSD regarding the parental support gap; and

(d)

any of the following:

(i)

a person in their professional capacity who is a practising professional in the health, education, justice or social services sector who is registered with the relevant body regulating the profession and has a current practising certificate in this role:

(ii)

a contracted service provider of a specified young person receiving Youth Payment or Young Parent Payment who applies to transfer to a relevant benefit: or

(iii)

a third party nominated by MSD, where MSD is satisfied that the specified young person has taken reasonable steps to access a relevant professional referred to in clause 5(4)(d)(i) and is unable to do so.

(5)

For the purposes of clause 5(4)(d)(i), a practising professional in the health, education, justice or social services sector includes (but is not limited to) a:

(a)

health practitioner:

(b)

teacher:

(c)

lawyer:

(d)

counsellor: or

(e)

social worker.