Starship Foundation

Financial help when you're having a baby / raising a family



Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

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

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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.
 

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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. 
 

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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
Home Help is income and asset tested unless you've had a multiple birth. If you think you may be eligible, contact Work and Income on 0800 559 009.
 

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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:

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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 (previously Family Assistance). 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 (previously called family support)
  • in-work tax credit
  • minimum family tax credit
  • parental tax credit
If you receive a benefit from Work and Income, you are entitled to the family tax credit. This is paid by Work and Income.
 
If you receive a benefit, see the Inland Revenue website for:
For more information about Working for Families Tax Credits, call Inland Revenue on 0800 227 773 or visit:

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Child Support

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

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Where to go for more information

On this website
 
Department of Labour
Contact the Department of Labour to find out about Paid Parental Leave.
Cal free on 0800 800 863
 
Inland Revenue
Contact Inland Revenue to find out if you qualify for Child Support or Parent
al Tax Credit.
Call free on 0800 227 773
Website: http://www.ird.govt.nz/
 
Work and Income
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
Contact Working for Families for information about the Working for Families package.
Call free on 0800 774 004
Website: http://www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz
 

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Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 22/07/2010

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010


The Paediatric Society of New Zealand
http://www.paediatrics.org.nz
Starship Foundation
http://www.starship.org.nz