Parental support gap

To get a Young Parent Payment a single young person aged 16 or 17 years old must:

• meet all of the qualifications
• not be living with their parents or guardians and
• have 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 or guardianship 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 chooses 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.

You should use any Oranga Tamariki or other agency documentation or the Independent Assessment Provider report to assist you to make a decision while considering all the relevant information.

If a young person is in approved Supported Housing for Vulnerable Teen Parents and has written verification from Oranga Tamariki confirming that they have been referred by them, the young person does not require an Independent Assessment. See:

• Approved Supported Housing for Vulnerable Teen Parents

If a young person is married, in a civil union or considered to be in a de facto relationship, they do not have to meet the parental support gap qualification to receive a Young Parent Payment.