Extraordinary Care Fund

You can apply for a grant from the fund if you get the Orphan’s Benefit or Unsupported Child’s Benefit. You must have extra costs because the child you support is either:

• showing promise through high achievement for a particular skill or talent.
• experiencing difficulties that are impacting on their development. For example, a child with learning or behavioural difficulties who would benefit from participation in a particular course or activity.

You can get up to $2,000 per child each year between 1 July – 30 June.

Decisions about whether to award a grant are based on the needs of the child, rather than their family’s financial situation. Some costs that might meet the criteria are:

Showing promise

• Selection for participation in an arts, science, innovation, technology or academic programme or event
• Attendance at a New Zealand sporting competition
• Private music lessons and instrument hire or purchase for a child who’s progressed well beyond their peers in a group lesson setting

Experiencing difficulties

• Orthodontic work (not funded through the Ministry of Health) that would lessen difficulties faced by the child
• Courses or activities to develop a child’s self-esteem, physical capability or social skills
• Courses or activities to improve a child’s ability to learn if they have learning difficulties
• Swimming lessons if the child hasn’t learnt to swim through school lessons

The table below shows the types of costs that are often applied for, and a cost guide to give you a rough idea of how much we can pay.

There may be other costs we haven't mentioned here that you can still apply for. Grants are made based on your child’s needs and documents that support this.

Extraordinary Care Fund does not cover these costs

• Costs that are covered by an Establishment Grant or School and Year Start-up Payment or by other agencies
• Health and medical costs (eg. Doctor’s visits or medication)
• Everyday costs (eg. school trips, vehicles, legal costs)
• Overseas travel
• School uniforms

Step 1 - Fill out an application form

Print and fill out the Extraordinary Care Fund Grant application form.

If you can’t print the form, come in and see us or call us and we’ll post one to you.

Extraordinary Care Fund Grant application form (PDF 426.34KB)

Step 2- You need to provide:

• Identification for yourself, eg a Community Service Card or a SuperGold Card.
• proof of the cost you’re applying for, eg a:
  • quote
  • receipt, or
  • letter asking for payment from an organiser.
• a letter of support clearly outlining any promise shown or difficulty experienced from an independent person, eg a:
  • teacher
  • coach, or
  • other person of standing in the community.

If you’re applying for $500 or more for something not relating to sports or arts, you’ll need to provide a second letter of support from another independent person.

Applying for sports or arts – costs under $1,000

If you’re applying for sports or arts and the costs are under $1,000 or more, you only need to provide proof of the costs you’re applying for. You don’t need to provide a letter of support.

Part payments

In certain circumstances, grants for part payments will be considered if you need a contribution towards a larger cost like a representative trip. To get a part payment, you need to be able to show how you’re meeting the rest of the costs.

Step 3 - Drop off your form and documents

Drop off your application form and supporting documents to the reception in your local service centre (you don't need an appointment for this), or you can post them to us.

If you'd prefer to talk to someone before you apply, you can call our contact centre on 0800 559 009. If you want to meet with us face to face, you can book an appointment by either:

• using MyMSD or
• calling us.

You'll need to bring your completed form and supporting documents when you meet with us.

We’ll write to you to let you know whether your application has been approved.

As the amount of money available in the fund is limited, we may not be able to approve all applications. Funding recommendations are made by a panel whose members are selected for their skills, knowledge and experience.