our taiohi
youth service support young people aged 16-19
our taiohi
Youth Service provides support to:
- young people aged 16-17 receiving Youth Payment
- young people aged 16-19, with a child receiving Young Parent Payment
- young partners of a main beneficiary aged 16 to 17
- young parent partners of a main beneficiary aged 16 to 19
- young people aged 16-17 who need support Navigating Education, Employment or Training.
General administration of Youth Payment and Young Parent Payment is managed by the Youth Service Support Unit (YSSU).
Youth coaches manage face-to-face interaction, administration, and work with MSD to resolve issues.
youth payment
Youth Payment is for 16 and 17 year old young people who:
- can’t live with their parents
- can’t be financially supported by their parents, and
- are not responsible for any children.
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young parent payment
Young Parent Payment is for 16-19 year old young parents who are raising a child and are either:
- Single, or
- Married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship, but not in a relationship with someone receiving another benefit from Work and Income.
If they are 16 or 17 years old, they also have to be:
- living with their parents, and their parents qualify for family tax credits, or
- unable to live with their parents or receive financial support from anyone.
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young partners and young parent partners
Young partners to a main beneficiary are identified as young people who are:
- aged 16 to 17 (with no dependent child or children) or
- aged 16 to 19 (with a dependent child or children)
16-17 year old young people who are in a de facto relationship will need to have the consent of a Family Court Judge to have the relationship recognised.
Young partners and young parent partners will be referred to Youth Service provider to meet their youth activity obligations.
Example: A couple with a child is receiving the Jobseeker Support benefit. The primary recipient is 20 years of age, and the partner is 19 years of age. The 19 year old partner must participate in Youth Service and will be subject to youth activity obligations. However, their 20 year old partner will continue to engage with Work and Income.
The young partner can apply for some second and third-tier assistance through their Youth Service provider, like Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment and hardship assistance.
All other applications for assistance must be completed by their partner with Work and Income.
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youth service neet
Youth Service NEET is a voluntary service for 16 and 17 years old who need support in navigating education, employment, or training.
15 year olds with an early leaving exemption from Ministry of Education may also be eligible for the NEET service.
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