Who can get it

You must meet certain criteria to get Parenting Payment.

A change to expand the eligibility of Parenting Payment Single to customers whose child is under 14 years was announced in the Budget, starting from 20 September 2023. It’s subject to legislation. We’ll let you know more soon.

To get this payment, you must do all of the following:

You can’t claim Parenting Payment before the birth of a child. Only one parent or guardian can be paid Parenting Payment.

Parental Leave Pay is different to Parenting Payment. There are also other payments for families you may be able to get.

You may not be eligible if you get certain payments from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). Read more about getting a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) payment.

If your youngest child is younger than 6

You may need to take part in ParentsNext. You may also need to do both of these:

  • agree to a participation plan
  • do the activities you agree to do.

Financial support when your Disaster Recovery Allowance ends

You can claim an income support payment from us when your Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) or New Zealand DRA ends.

If you’ve lost your job you may be able to claim Parenting Payment.

Page last updated: 19 August 2022.
QC 43486

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