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Financial Assistance

You must bring original documents or certified true copies. These will be returned to you once we’ve scanned and saved them.

A list of what you need to bring can also be found on the 'next steps' page after you submit an online application.

Contact us if there’s anything on the list you’re not sure about, don’t have or will have some delay in providing.

Online application reference number

Make a note of your application reference number and bring it with you.

Identification

You must bring three forms of identification and one of these must be at least two years old.

• Born in New Zealand - one form of government-issued documentation stating your full legal name and date of birth eg birth certificate, passport, driver licence, firearms licence, deed poll

  Born overseas - proof of your lawful residence in New Zealand eg New Zealand passport, other country passport with residence class visa or residence permit, citizenship certificate

• Two documents supporting your identity eg marriage certificate, bank statement, phone or power account bill, driver licence.

If you have received a benefit before

You only need to bring two documents supporting your identity (one of these must be at least two years old) eg marriage certificate, bank statement, phone or power account bill, driver licence.

Supporting documents

To process your application and determine your eligibility and entitlement, it’s important that you provide the following:

• proof of your bank account details eg a bank statement with your account number
• a form or letter from Inland Revenue showing your IRD (tax) number
• gross income details (eg weekly gross wage and gross holiday pay) for the 52 week period immediately before your application and details of your last 26 weeks gross income

and if applicable:

• your school leaving certificate (if you recently left school)
• full birth certificates for all dependent children
• proof of accommodation costs eg tenancy agreement
• proof of any other essential ongoing costs eg hire purchases
• proof of any name change eg deed poll or marriage or civil union certificate
• proof of any assets that could earn income
• details of your business income or trusts.

Additional information required for specific benefits

You’ll also need to bring the following if you’re applying for:

Unemployment benefit 

• current CV or
• details of your work qualifications eg training certificates and references from employers.

Childcare assistance

• proof of your work, course, study and number of hours eg letter from employer, employment contract or confirmation of study
• have the following form completed by your childcare service or OSCAR programme supervisor:
  • Childcare Subsidy Verification Form [PDF, 70.92KB]
  • OSCAR Subsidy Verification Form [PDF, 69.11KB]

Independent youth benefit (16 and 17 year olds)

• if you’re a full time student at secondary school - a letter from your school confirming you’re enrolled there
• if you’re on a training course - Work and Income Training Statement [PDF, 75.28KB]
• if you’re sick, pregnant or injured - Work and Income Medical Certificate completed by your doctor.

You’re also encouraged to bring an adult support person with you to your appointment eg school councilor, aunt, cousin, family friend, etc.

Sickness benefit

• Work and Income Medical Certificate completed by your doctor, dentist or midwife
• details of your parents’ income (if you’re 16 or 17 years old and pregnant).

Disability-related benefits

If applicable, you need to provide:

• proof or quotes for any expenses relating to your disability
• medical reports from your specialist
• assessments from Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination (NASC) agencies
• Special Education assessments
• Work and Income Medical Certificate or Disability Certificate [PDF, 64KB] completed by your doctor or specialist.

Orphan/unsupported child’s benefit

• full birth certificate for the child
• details of the child's income eg interest from bank accounts or trusts
• parent/parents' death certificate and estate details (for orphans)
• copies of Family Group Conference outcomes/ Court Orders/ Court approved plans where applicable.

Widow’s benefit

• husband/partner’s death certificate.

If you have a spouse/partner

You must bring your spouse/partner's:

• two forms of identification eg birth certificate, passport or driver licence
• proof of any name change eg deed poll or marriage or civil union certificate
• proof of their bank account details eg a bank statement with their account number
• a form or letter from Inland Revenue showing their IRD (tax) number
• their gross income details (eg weekly gross wage and gross holiday pay) for the 52 week period immediately before the application and details of the last 26 weeks gross income.

Checklist