Domestic Purposes Benefit – Sole Parent
A weekly payment which helps sole parents with one or more dependent children.
Who can get it
You may get Domestic Purposes Benefit - Sole Parent if you:
- are the parent of a child under 18 who is dependent on you
- are not in a relationship with the other parent
- do not have a partner or you have lost the support of your partner
- are 18 or over (or 16-17 if you were legally married or in a civil union).
You must also:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- have lived in New Zealand for at least 2 years at any one time since becoming a New Zealand citizen or resident (unless you are a refugee).
You should also normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
You may also be able to get the Domestic Purposes Benefit - Sole Parent if you are caring for a child who is not your own.
This information is a guide only. Contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
If your youngest child is six or older, you’ll need to start looking for part-time work.
We’ll help you find suitable work that fits with your role as a parent and we may also be able to help with after school care if you need it.
You’re benefit won’t be stopped if you can’t find a job. But you do need to be actively looking for work and your benefit may be reduced or stopped if you don’t try.
Are you eligible?
Find out if you might get this benefit, and what other financial assistance may be available to you.
If you don’t want to complete the form online you can print out and complete the application form below.
If you can’t print the form out we’ll send an application form to you or you can complete it when you come in to see us.
We can grant you the financial assistance you’re entitled to from the date you first contact us if you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.
Contact us for more information
