Refugee Family Support Category

The Refugee Family Support Category allows for a quota of refugees' and protected persons' family members to be considered for permanent residence in New Zealand each year. A client may lodge an application for residence under this category if their New Zealand sponsor's registration was selected from the annual ballot.

Clients need to have been living continuously in New Zealand for 2 years to be entitled to Youth Payment. However, Youth Payment on the ground of hardship may be considered before they meet the 2 year requirement if the client meets all the other eligibility criteria for Jobseeker Support and can meet the relevant obligations.

Jobseeker Support on the ground of hardship is both income and asset tested.

When assessing the client's entitlement to Youth Payment on the ground of hardship, the sponsor's financial circumstances is not used in the assessment. However, any financial assistance given to the client and family (if any) from either their sponsor or from another party, must be used in the assessment.

It is important to note that, unlike other visa categories sponsors, under the Refugee Family Support Category have no obligation to financially support their relative.

The only obligation a sponsor under this category has is to make sure adequate accommodation for their relatives is available during the first 24 months of their relative's residence in New Zealand. Despite this requirement, the client may still be able to get assistance as a non-beneficiary.

If the client has a change in personal resources, confirmation of that change is required.