Aged 16 or 17 years with a parental support gap

A 16 or 17 year old is considered to have a parental support gap when:

• each of their parents (or guardians) is unable to support them financially
  For example, the young person's parents or guardians may be (but not limited to):
  • deceased
  • in prison
  • in hospital
  • overseas
• the relationship with their parents (or guardians) has broken down, and none of them is prepared to support the young person financially
• transitioning from care under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, via an extended care agreement, parenting order
• there is a good and sufficient reason why the young person cannot reasonably expect to be financially dependent on their parents or any other person. For example (but not limited to):
  the young person has been subject to family violence (physical, psychological, emotional or sexual) in their parent's or guardian's home

A young person is not considered to have a parental support gap if they have the option of living with a parent or guardian, but choose not to and you are satisfied that there are no good and sufficient reasons for the young person not to be living with that parent or guardian.