applying for yp or ypp

qualifying criteria

Youth Payment

Youth Payment (YP) is for 16 and 17 year old young people who:

can’t live with their parents,
can’t be supported financially by their parents, and
are not responsible for any children.

The Ministry of Social Development can accept 16 or 17 year olds in a de facto relationship if they have consent from a Family Court Judge for the de facto relationship.

For more information refer to MAP: Youth Payment

Young Parent Payment

Young Parent Payment (YPP) is for 16 to 19 year old young people who are bringing up a child and either:

single, or
are, or have been, married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship, and
not in a relationship with someone receiving another benefit from Work and Income (see young partners of main beneficiaries section below).

if they are 16 or 17 years old

They also have to be:

living with parents and their parents qualify for family tax credits, or
they can't live with their parents or get financial support from anyone.

We can accept 16 or 17 year old in a de facto relationship if they have consent from a Family Court Judge for the de facto relationship.

For more information, refer to MAP: Young Parent Payment

making an application

Young people applying for YP or YPP will complete an online application. The online application is available on the Work and Income website.

If a young parent is transferring from a main benefit to YPP, they will need to complete a hardcopy YPP application.

Hardcopy YP and YPP application forms are available on the Youth Service editable PDF application forms page. Once competed, email the hardcopy application to YSSU at youthservice@msd.govt.nz.

If a young person is unable to access the internet or a computer, they can visit a Work and Income service centre and use a kiosk to apply. Youth Service providers can also help young people in applying online.

application lapses

All applications remain active for 20 working days. This means young people have 20 working days from the first day they contact the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) or their Youth Provider to:

Undergo screening by the Youth Service Support Unit (YSSU)
If required, complete a family breakdown assessment
Meet with their Youth Service provider
Provide all supporting documentation to test eligibility for payment.

If the young person does not complete their application within this timeframe, unless there is a good reason for the delay, their application will lapse and be declined by YSSU.

If a young person contacts their Youth Coach after 20 working days to proceed with their application, the Youth Coach must contact YSSU.

YSSU will determine whether the young person has a good reason for the delay and advise the Youth Coach if their application can be continued or if they need to reapply and complete a new application.

oranga tamariki

Youth Service providers will work with the young person’s Oranga Tamariki transition support worker to achieve better outcomes for the young person. For more information, please refer to the Oranga Tamariki and Youth Service page.

young partners of main beneficiaries

Young partners of main beneficiaries will apply for a working-age benefit (main benefit, for example, Jobseeker Support) at their local Work and Income service centre.

The Work and Income service centre will identify if a young partner is subject to youth activity obligations and will explain these to the young partner. They'll refer them to YSSU, who will then refer them to their local Youth Service provider.

de facto relationships

If a 16 or 17 year old young person states they're in a relationship, MSD can recognise the relationship if they have an order granting consent from a Family Court Judge.

If the young person doesn't have consent from the Family Court, they will need to apply as a single person.

recognised de facto relationship process

Young people will need to complete the following three forms:

Application Form: This form outlines that the young person wants permission to be in a de facto relationship under Section 46A of the Care of Children Act. Application Form Link
General Affidavit: This form is used to share information with the judge, such as how long the couple has been together, where they live, their future plans, and why they need a recognised relationship (for example, to receive a partner benefit). General Affidavit Link
Information Sheet: This form contains general information about the young person. Please encourage the young person to include their email. Information Sheet Link

The young person will need to take these forms to their nearest Family Court office. The office staff will assist the young person in ensuring that everything is correct.

Afterward, the young person will receive an email informing them of their assigned Case Manager. They are the person to contact if the young person has any questions, and they will provide updates.

A Family Court Judge will review the application and can take one of the following actions:

Issue a court order granting consent to the relationship if they are satisfied that the application is voluntary, free from undue influence or coercion, the young person understands the consequences of the application, and the relationship is in the young person's interests.
Provide the young person with a date to meet with the Judge. This will include step-by-step instructions on what to expect next. The Judge may require additional information to make a decision.

If the young person needs help with their application, they can contact their local Community Law office for free legal advice (Community Law Office Locator) or Youth Law for free legal assistance (Youth Law). If both individuals are 16 or 17, they both need to complete forms and visit the Family Court office. Young people must bring valid identification when they go to the Family Court office.