Supporting children and families
We’ll support you as a carer and help you look to the future. We may be able to provide financial help whether you’re looking after your own child or someone else’s child.
Help with childcare costs
We may be able to help pay for childcare if it isn't paid for by 20 Hours Early Childhood Education. You may also be able to get home help.
Childcare Subsidy
Help with the cost of pre-school childcare.
Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Subsidy
Help with the cost of before-school, after-school, and school holiday programmes.
Young Parent Childcare Payment
Help with the cost of early childcare if you're a parent aged under 18 and in secondary school.
Home Help
A payment which helps carers or parents with things like laundry, housework, cooking, childcare or parenting skills.
Websites that may help
Working for Families - Childcare Assistance
Learn more about the childcare assistance that's available through the Working for Families package. Their calculator can help you estimate the amount of childcare assistance you may be able to get.
Family and Community services (FACS) - Supporting Stronger Families
Programmes and initiatives to help families and their children.
Child, Youth and Family
Promoting the wellbeing and safety of children and supporting positive parenting.
Help with getting back into the workforce
Work offers opportunities now and in the future. It can make it easier for you and your family to do the things you want to in life.
Family tax credits and other assistance ensure that you're financially better off in work.
If you want to work, either part-time or full-time, or are thinking about working, we're here to help.
Find a Job
Search through our job vacancies on our Find a Job website
Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) - Sole Parent
Assistance if you're a sole parent.
Help looking for work
We can help you find a job that’s right for you.
Websites that may help
Working for Families
Assistance that recognises the cost of raising children and ensures that you’re better off in work. Three out of four families with children can get Working for Families assistance such as:
- tax credits
- help with housing costs
- childcare assistance.
Help with housing and living costs
We may be able to help you with your housing and living costs.
If you're struggling to support yourself or your family, please contact us. We can often help.
Parents who are involved in an international custody or access dispute may be able to get extra help.
Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) - Sole Parent
Assistance for sole parents.
Accommodation Supplement
Help with your rent, board or the cost of owning a home.
Community Services Card
A card that can help you and your family with the costs of health care. You'll pay less on some health services and prescriptions.
Home Help
A payment which helps carers or parents with things like laundry, housework, cooking, childcare or parenting skills.
International Custody Dispute Payment
A payment for parents who are involved in an international custody or access dispute and are finding it hard financially.
Financial assistance when you're having a baby
A brochure about some of the help you may be able to get when you're having a baby such as:
- paid parental leave or a Parental Tax Credit
- Child Support
- Working for Families assistance.
Websites that may help
Working for Families
Assistance that recognises the cost of raising children and ensures that you’re better off in work. Three out of four families with children can get Working for Families assistance such as:
- tax credits
- help with housing costs
- childcare assistance.
Inland Revenue child support
Information and resources for parents paying child support, custodians and employers making child support deductions.
Department of Labour
For information about Paid Parental Leave.
Help if your child is ill or disabled
If your child is ill or disabled, we may be able to support you with your living expenses and other costs, including caring and health costs.
Child Disability Allowance
An allowance if you're the primary person caring for a seriously disabled child or young person.
Community Services Card
A card that can help you and your family with the costs of health care. You'll pay less on some health services and prescriptions.
Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) - care of sick or infirm
Assistance for full-time carers of someone at home.
Disability Allowance
An allowance which helps you with regular, ongoing costs because of a disability, such as visits to the doctor or hospital, medicines, extra clothing or travel.
Websites that may help
Ministry of Health - Disability information
Information on the role of Disability Services within the Ministry of Health and the disability support services it funds.
Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card
If you or your family need a lot of prescriptions each year, this card can help with these costs.
Help for foster carers
If you're looking after someone else's child we may be able to help you with living, heath, housing and childcare costs.
Unsupported Child's Benefit
Assistance if you're a carer supporting a child or young person whose parents can't care for them because of a family breakdown.
Orphan's Benefit
Assistance if you're a carer supporting a child or young person whose parents have either died, can't be found or can't look after them because they have a long-term illness or incapacity.
Accommodation Supplement
Help with your rent, board or the cost of owning a home.
Community Services Card
A card that can help you and your family with the costs of health care. You'll pay less on some health services and prescriptions.
Websites that may help
Child, Youth and Family
Promoting the wellbeing and safety of children and supporting positive parenting.
Working for Families
Assistance that recognises the cost of raising children and ensures that you’re better off in work. Three out of four families with children can get Working for Families assistance such as:
- tax credits
- help with housing costs
- childcare assistance.
Contact us
Everyone's situation is different. We're here to help if you need it.
Contact us if you:
- would like assistance
- aren't sure if you can get assistance
- are struggling to support yourself or your family
- would like more information.