Financial help you may be entitled to

The Work and Income website has a brochure - Financial assistance when you're having a baby.

It provides information on the following:

• Paid Parental Leave
• Parental Tax Credit
• Domestic Help
• Community Services Card
• Working for Families package
• Child Support

Paid Parental Leave

This is a payment for working mothers while they take parental leave. For information about eligibility and the amount you can claim, call the Department of Labour on 0800 800 863 or see information about Paid Parental Leave, on the Department of Labour website.

Parental Tax Credit

This is part of the Working for Familes package (see the section Working for Familes). It helps with the costs of a new baby. For information on entitlement and the amount you may be able to claim, contact Inland Revenue on 0800 227 773 or see information on the Parental Tax Credit on the Inland Revenue website. You can receive either Paid Parental Leave or Parental Tax Credit. You can't get both payments at the same time. 

Domestic Help

You may be able to get Home Help to help with costs if:

• you've had a multiple birth, or
• you have a domestic emergency, or
• you need help with things like laundry, housework, cooking or childcare

Unless you’ve had a multiple birth, your income and assets must be under a certain limit to be eligible. If you think you may be eligible, contact Work and Income on 0800 559 009.

Community Services Card

The Community Services Card allows you to get discounts on doctors' fees and prescriptions. If you have not received one, and think you should have, please phone Work and Income on 0800 999 999.

You can also visit the Work and Income website for:

• information about the Community Services Card
• a brochure: Community Services Card: Helping you with the costs of health care

Working for Families

Working for Families is a package which pays extra money to many New Zealand families working and raising a family. 

There are four different types of payments. These are called Working for Families Tax Credits. You may be entitled to one or more of the Tax Credits. It depends on how much you earn, where your income is from and how many children you have.

The four payments (tax credits) are:

• the family tax credit
• in-work tax credit
• minimum family tax credit
• parental tax credit

If you receive a benefit from Work and Income, you are only entitled to the family tax credit. This is paid by Work and Income.

If you receive a benefit, see the Inland Revenue website for:

• information about what you're entitled to if you receive income-tested benefits as your main income

For more information about Working for Families Tax Credits, call Inland Revenue on 0800 227 773 or visit:

• the Inland Revenue website for information about Working for Families Tax Credits
• the Working for Families website

Child Support

This is financial support paid by a parent not living with their child. See the Inland Revenue website for information about Child Support, or call 0800 221 221.

Where to go for more information

On this website
Financial assistance when your child has a disability or chronic condition

Department of Labour www.dol.govt.nz/er/holidaysandleave/parentalleave/index.asp
Contact the Department of Labour to find out about Paid Parental Leave. Call free on 0800 800 863

Inland Revenue www.ird.govt.nz
Contact Inland Revenue to find out if you qualify for Child Support or Parental Tax Credit.
Call free on 0800 227 773

Work and Income www.workandincome.govt.nz
Contact Work and Income to ask what financial support you are entitled to, including Domestic Help and the Community Services Card. Call free on 0800 559 009.

Working for Families http://www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz
Contact Working for Families for information about the Working for Families package. Call free on 0800 774 004.