Youth Service: the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
If you leave school before you turn 18 you may be able to get income and other supports through the Youth Service.
The MSD’s Youth Service has three main services /payments:
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Youth Payment – for young people aged 16 or 17 who can’t live with their parents or guardians
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The NEET (Not in Education, Employment and Training) service – for 16–17-year-olds who are either not in education, training or employment, or are at risk of dropping out
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Young Parent Payment – for young people aged 16–19 who are the main caregiver for a child.
The Youth Service focuses on supporting taiohi / young people into education, training and work-based learning. Youth coaches provide taiohi with intensive, tailored support to identify their goals and find the best path to reach them.
Click here to find out more about MSD’s Youth Service.
Work and Income
Assistance available from Work and Income falls into three key areas:
This link takes you to everything related to accessing income support. You don’t have to know everything today, but you will know where to look when you’re ready! Click here for the A-Z of benefit payments
Financial support when looking for work
You may be eligible for income support via Work and Income payments while you’re looking for work.
Jobseeker Support
This provides financial help via a weekly payment that helps people while they are looking for work or can’t work right now.
Click here for more info about Jobseeker Support.
Supported Living Payment
This provides financial help via a weekly payment to help you if you have a significant health condition, injury or disability, (which can include FASD).
Click here for more details about the supported living payment.
Getting ready to work
Getting ready to start a new job can sometimes involve costs, such as training, workplace costs, travel and clothing. Depending on your situation, Work and Income may be able to help with these costs.
Click here to find out more.
Oranga Tamariki Transition Support Services
Transition Support Services are a range of services for people aged 15 to 25. They help them transition from Oranga Tamariki (OT) care or custody into independent adulthood.
What is transition support?
Transition support can help with specific ways to help you become independent. This might mean helping with a plan, finding a place to stay or accessing financial support. Support is available from OT trained transition workers. Transition workers work for Iwi Māori or community partner organisations.
Who can access OT transition support?
You are eligible for transition support services if you:
- have been in OT or custody for over three months continuously
- are between 15 - 25 years old.
What’s on offer
OT transition support can help you:
- find a place to live or stay with a caregiver
- get some financial support
- access a transition worker
- get your driver’s licence
- find a job or enrol in training
- get legal advice
- access counselling and other health services.
Financial support
OT may be able to provide you with some financial support when:
- things get tough
- you need help to become independent
- no other financial support is available.
OT’s financial support will not affect any other services you use or benefits you receive.
How to get support
You can access help whenever it works for you, including before you leave care or custody. You can choose to use OT's take transition support or not, at any time. If you are eligible, or you're not sure if you are, or want to find out more, contact:
- a care, caregiver, or youth justice social worker
- a transition worker
- OT’s free helpline on 0800 55 89 89.