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
- do not have a partner or you have lost the support of your partner
- are 19 or over.
You must also:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- have lived in New Zealand for at least two 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.
For more detail about who can get it see:
This information is a guide only.
Pre-benefit activities
You may be required to complete ‘pre-benefit activities’ before receiving a benefit, see:
Your obligations
You will have obligations to get ready for work, or be available for work, according to your family situation. If your youngest child is:
- under five years old you'll need to take practical steps to get ready for work
- between five and 13 you'll be expected to actively seek part-time work of at least 15 hours per week and accept any suitable job
- 14 or older you'll be expected to actively seek full-time work of at least 30 hours per week and accept any suitable job.
You need to be able to show us that you are getting ready for work or actively looking for work, or your benefit may be reduced or stopped. For more information see:
Having another child
If you're on a benefit and have another child, when your new child turns one year old you may have a change in obligations, depending on the age of your next youngest child. See:
Benefit changes
If you're receiving a benefit from us, or thinking about applying, there are going to be some changes to your obligations over the next year. Make sure you know what's changing and how it will affect you.
When may your payment start
Depending on your situation, you may have to wait before you get your first payment. In most circumstances, you will usually get your first payment within 2-3 weeks after you apply, or from the date your training course starts. You may have to wait longer if you have recently been in work, and:
- left your job without a good reason
- lost your job because of misconduct
- got holiday pay or another payment at the end of your job
- are getting sick pay from your employer.
Are you eligible?
Find out if you might get this benefit, what other financial assistance may be available to you, and what pre-benefit activities you may have.
How to apply
Complete your application form for financial assistance online.
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
