International Custody Dispute Payment Factsheet
Financial assistance for parents in international custody disputes
What is an International Custody Dispute Payment?
The International Custody Dispute Payment is a weekly payment that is made on the grounds of hardship. The International Custody Dispute Payment is a non-recoverable grant.
If you are a parent who is involved in an international custody or access dispute over the care of your child or children, and you have limited financial support, we may be able to help you.
How do I qualify for this payment?
To qualify for the International Custody Dispute Payment, you must:
- be the main carer of a dependent child or children
- be in financial hardship and have no other financial support reasonably available to you.
You must also be:
- in New Zealand under a temporary or limited purpose residency permit with a child to resolve a custody and access dispute or
- a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who is in another country because of a Hague convention application or order to resolve a custody dispute.
How long can I receive this payment for?
This payment will start from the date you apply and can continue until you:
- start work
- can support yourself financially some other way (such as payments from an overseas government)
- leave the country or can’t stay in the country
- resolve the custody dispute (including any rights of appeal)
- no longer require an order relating to possession and care because the child reaches an age where they don’t need this.
