Child changes
The number of dependent children in a Young Parent Payment client's care and any change to the circumstance of a child can affect:
- the rate of family tax credit payable
- payment of Best Start tax credit
- the rate of extra help payable
- the client's obligations and
- (in some situations) the client's eligibility to the benefit, for example, last child leaves care
Including a child in Young Parent Payment
For a child to be included in a client's Young Parent Payment the child must be a dependent child and generally ordinarily resident in New Zealand.
For more information see:
Where the child is not the client's natural or adoptive child, the client (where they are aged 18 years or over) may be able to get Unsupported Childs Benefit (instead of having the child included in their Young Parent Payment). This will depend mainly on the care arrangements.
Changes to a child's circumstances
Change to a dependent child's circumstances is generally going to affect the client's Young Parent Payment.
Child turns 18
When a child turns 18, they are generally no longer considered a dependent child and can no longer be included in their parent or caregiver's payments, unless they are continuing in education and are not financially independent.
