Single Parent Benefits
In New Zealand single parents benefits are called Domestic Purposes benefit. This is a weekly payment which is intended to help sole parents who have one or more dependent children. The Ministry of Social Development is responsible for administering the Domestic Purposes Benefits (DPB).
Criteria for Qualification Include
- If your child is aged under 18 years and is dependent on you for support
- You have single person status and are not in a relationship with your child’s other parent
- You do not have a partner
- You are aged 18 years of over yourself
- You are 16-17 years of age and have been legally married or in a civil union
- You are a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of New Zealand
- You have lived in New Zealand for a period of at least 2 years consistently since gaining New Zealand citizenship or residency. This is waved if you are a refugee.
You may also qualify for the Domestic Purposes Benefit – Sole Parent payment if you are caring for a dependent child who is not your biological offspring.
N.B. Individual Circumstances Govern how much money you are entitled to
In order to continue getting benefits you need to participate in a planning process which is designed to support you in seeking work or training towards employment. This involves:
- Attending planning meetings and writing up an employment plan
- If your youngest child is aged 6 years or older you will need to actively seek part-time work which totals a minimum of 15 hours each week.
- You need to be available for and take steps to obtain part-time employment
- Attend job interviews and accept any offer of work
- Attend training, work experience and work assessment
- Reporting how compliant you have been in relation to seeking work
How Much Can I Get?
This amount varies dependent on individual circumstances. The following is a guide.
- The base rate for a single parent on Domestic Purposes Benefit is $278.04 (after tax) per week.
Check the Domestic Purposes and Widow’s Benefits Website for more information.
You may also be eligible for a Community Services Card which will help you to meet the costs associated with your health care. Dependent children aged under 18 years will also be covered. Check the Work & Income website for more information on the Community Services Card.
In addition, you may also be entitled to an Accommodation Supplement which is designed to contribute towards the cost of your housing. Check the Work & Income website for more information on the Accommodation Supplement.
If you return to work you will need to advise the Ministry of Social Development.
Check the Ministry of Social Development and Work & Income Websites for more information on financial support for children in single parent families.