Young people who are in a relationship

When a young parent is in a relationship, their eligibility for Young Parent Payment depends on their partner's age and whether they get a main benefit. A relationship means the couple are:

• legally married
• in a civil union
• in a de facto relationship with Family Court Judge consent

When a young parent in a relationship applies for Young Parent Payment and both partners are aged 16 to 19 years old, each partner must qualify in their own right. They do not need to have a parental support gap.

These couples cannot get any other main benefit, except when the partner qualifies for Supported Living Payment - health condition, injury, or disability. In this situation, the young parent can be included in their partner's Supported Living Payment.

A young parent cannot get Young Parent Payment if their partner is aged 20 years or older and is getting one of the following benefits:

• Emergency Benefit
• Jobseeker Support
• Supported Living Payment - health condition, injury, or disability

In these situations, the young parent can be included in their partner's main benefit.

Note if the partner is getting Supported Living Payment - caring for a person, the young parent can get Young Parent Payment in their own right.

If the partner does not have a current permit or visa that allows them to remain in New Zealand then they are in New Zealand unlawfully and you cannot include the partner in the benefit, unless one of the exceptions listed below applies.

When the partner is in New Zealand unlawfully or is not a permanent resident, pay the client at a single or sole parent rate taking into consideration all of the couple's income and assets.

Contact the Card Centre when granting the primary benefit to ensure that a Community Services Card is not issued to the non-resident partner.

Encourage the partner to follow up their residence status.

Exceptions

There are some situations where a partner is exempt and can be included in the benefit without having been granted permanent residence. These are:

• a person lawfully present in New Zealand who is awaiting the outcome of their application for refugee or protection status in New Zealand or
• a person who has refugee or protection status in New Zealand or
• a person applying for a residence class visa under the Immigration Act 2009 who is compelled to remain in New Zealand through unforeseen circumstances