programme fund

what is the programme fund?

The programme fund helps young people overcome barriers to their education, training, work-based learning, employment, or wellbeing. It provides a one-off payment for activities that are directly linked to their Youth Service plan.

This fund is a last resort and should only be used after other support options, such as MSD products and services, community support, or whānau help, have been explored.

Youth coaches can access up to $500 (excluding GST) within a 52-week period for each young person, starting from the date of their first approved programme fund application. The programme fund can be used to fund something for a young person or pooled to pay for group activities.

Costs must be actual and reasonable, and applications must include quotes, invoices, or receipts.

The programme fund is not available for ongoing or repeat costs like food, groceries, childcare, or everyday transport.

who can get it

The programme fund is available to any young person fully enrolled in the Youth Service (receiving a benefit payment (YP/YPP/JS etc.) or fully enrolled in Youth Service NEET and has completed the initial Youth Service plan.

Once a young person exits Youth Service, you cannot access this fund for the young person.

how to apply

You can apply by submitting a ‘Programme costs’ task in ART.

Task category: Programme costs

Task type: Programme costs for approval

Make sure you cover the following:

How this will remove a barrier for the young person
How this will help the young person to stay engaged in education, training, work-based learning, or employment
What other options you've explored
If this has been recommended by a specialist (where relevant)?

You will need to attach the following to the ART task:

Current and updated Youth Service plan
Quotes, invoices, or receipts.

art needs and activities

When you apply for the programme fund, ensure the young person has active and relevant Needs and Activities recorded in ART.

Examples

If you're applying to cover the cost of a school trip, but there are no recent notes under the education activity, the application will be declined.
If a young person in the NEET service is applying for work clothing, but you haven’t added an employment Need and Activity in ART, the application will be declined.

what the programme fund can cover

The programme fund can support young people in staying engaged in education, training, work-based learning, and employment or building their well-being.

Here is a list of what can be funded:

Education, training, or work-based learning

Specialist assessments (eg dyslexia, ADHD)
Speech and language therapy
Assistive technology (eg screen readers, voice to text tools)
Subject-specific tutoring (eg literacy, numeracy, science)
School trips or camps (excluding overseas trips)
Sports fees
Attend an open day at an education provider.

Creative, cultural, and personal growth

Music lessons or confidence building
Cultural gear and activities (eg kapa haka uniforms)
Drama, theatre, dance, or public speaking workshops
Te reo Māori or tikanga courses
Art classes, creative writing, or self-expression workshops
Leadership and mentoring programmes
Gym sessions (3 months)
Swimming lessons
Wellbeing activities like mindfulness, boxing, or waka ama.

Employment

CV writing and job application workshops
NEET only: Work clothing*
NEET only: LSV course related costs
Interview skills training
Short job-related certificates related to an employment opportunity* (eg barista, food safety, Site Safe, forklift, traffic control)
First Aid training (where required for work)
Attend a local job expo.

*Job needs to be 30 hours per week at minimum wage or more

Applications must show how the support will remove a barrier and help the young person move forward to achieving their dreams and aspirations.

what the programme fund doesn’t cover

The programme fund does not cover everyday living costs or costs that can be met through other MSD products, community services, or family.

This includes:

Birth certificates* (Special Needs Grant, Advance Payment of Benefit)
Clothing and cell phones* (Advance Payment of Benefit)
Driver licence or defensive driving course fees (Driver Licence Support Programme, Course Participation Allowance (if the Driver Licence Support Programme is full))
Medical costs (Disability Allowance)
Food, groceries, hygiene products (Special Needs Grant)
Childcare (GCAP)
Legal costs, debts, fines
Laptops, tablets, or chargers (Advance Payment of Benefit, Training Incentive Allowance)
Ongoing travel costs
Overseas trips or related costs (eg passport).

If you’re unsure, check with your Regional Contract Manager.

*exceptional circumstances

In some cases, we may approve programme fund applications under exceptional circumstances. These are rare and need to be clearly justified.

Exceptional circumstances are the exception, not the rule. You’ll need to provide enough detail to show why other support or services aren’t available.

Birth certificates – NEET

The programme fund may be used to pay for a birth certificate for a young person in the NEET service, but only in exceptional circumstances.

Include detailed notes in ART that explain:

why the parents or whānau can’t pay for the certificate
how having a birth certificate will help the young person enrol in education, training, or start a full-time job, and
what might happen if the application is declined.

Cell phones – NEET

Cell phones may also be funded in exceptional circumstances for NEET young people.

To approve this, you’ll need a strong reason, including:

why the parents or whānau can’t buy the phone ("the family isn’t willing to" is not enough and will be declined)
if the phone is linked to medical needs or serious safety concerns
if there will be negative consequences if the application is declined.

The maximum amount allowed is $150.

how to check a young person's available programme fund balance

You can check in ART to see how much a young person has used from their yearly $500 fund, and what it was used for.

In ART:

Go to the Needs tab
Click on View Programme costs