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You might qualify for | Ongoing assistance

Youth Payment

Youth Payment helps young people aged 16 or 17 who can't live with their parents or guardian and aren't supported by them or anyone else.

  • We need more information because:

    • We don't know if you are between 16 and 17 years of age

    • We don't know if you do not have dependent children

    • We don't know if you are currently undertaking or available for further education

    • We don't know if either:

      • You are not in a relationship and are in exceptional circumstances

      • Your partner does not receive a specified MSD service

      • You are divorced/separated from your partner

    • We don't know if your income is below the cutoff

    • We don't know if you have lived continuously in New Zealand for at least 2 years since becoming a NZ citizen or permanent resident

  • However you do meet these requirements:

    • You are a New Zealand Citizen or Resident

    • How to apply for Youth Payment

    Apply Online

    Complete your application form for financial assistance online.

    The online application process

    You can also go to any Work and Income Service Centre and use one of our self service kiosks to complete the online application.

    We can grant you the financial assistance you qualify for from the date you first contact us if you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.

    If you can apply online for more than one service, you only need to fill out the form once.