Independent
Single young people must be independent and responsible for:
- meeting their personal expenses and
- making their own decisions on such things as schooling, job seeking, medical treatment and budgeting
If the young person is sharing accommodation with another person or people, the living arrangement must be one of boarding or renting rather than being 'in care'.
Where the young person is not independent, the caregiver may be able to receive an Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit
In Oranga Tamariki care
Young people who are in the care or sole guardianship of the Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki cannot receive Young Parent Payment as the cost of the young person's care is the responsibility of Oranga Tamariki.
The young person is not seen as independent.
When a young person has been discharged from Oranga Tamariki or other authorised agency care they do not require an Independent Assessment. This is because the relationship breakdown has already been established by Oranga Tamariki.
If a young person is in approved Supported Housing for Vulnerable Teen Parents and has written verification confirming that they have been referred there by Oranga Tamariki, the young person does not require an Independent Assessment. See:
For more information see:
