Explanatory note
Unofficial consolidated version of the Orphan's and Unsupported Child's Benefit (Additional Assistance) Programme
-- as at 4 September 2026
This note is not part of the programme, but is intended to indicate its general effect.
This programme provides for additional financial assistance to persons receiving orphan's benefit or unsupported child's benefit for the care of a child.
A one-off establishment grant of $350 is payable to a principal caregiver who is granted an orphan's benefit or an unsupported child's benefit in respect of a dependent child who has entered the caregiver's care. This payment is in recognition that there are usually significant one-off costs that arise when a child first enters the carer's home, including bed, bedding and clothing.
The establishment grant is only paid once to each caregiver and his or her spouse or partner in respect of the child. It is not payable if the orphan's benefit or unsuppported child's benefit is granted within a period of 28 days after a previous orphan's benefit or unsupported child's benefit payable to the caregiver or his or her spouse or partner in respect of the child was terminated or cancelled.
Carers who have received or have been approved to receive a home for life payment for a child will not be eligible to receive an establishment grant in respect of that child because carers who have home for life status already receive financial support.
The school and year start-up payment is a non-taxable payment for orphan's benefit or unsupported child's benefit recipients. It is available upon application at the beginning of the school year but only if the orphan's benefit or unsupported child's benefit is payable on the last day of February or would be payable but for the child's temporary absence from New Zealand.
The payment recognises that carers can face significant costs at the start of the year, such as school fees and uniforms.
To be eligible for the payment, carers must apply during the period commencing on the first Monday after 10 January and ending on the last Friday in February in a year. No applications for the payment will be considered outside that period unless a good and sufficient reason exists.
