Parental support gap

A single young person must meet all of the qualifications and have a parental support gap to get a Youth Payment.

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 are not in one of the circumstances outlined above, and have the option of living with a parent or guardian but choose not to.

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.

When a young person has been discharged from care, or other authorised agency care, they do not require an Independent Assessment. This is because being discharged from Oranga Tamariki care is considered to be an exceptional circumstance.

If a young person is married, in a civil union or considered to be in a de facto relationship, they do not have to have a parental support gap to qualify to get a Youth Payment.