FAQ

No, if this is your wish to raise the grandchild because of your culture, you do so willingly. To qualify for the UCB you would need to demonstrate there has been a family breakdown and that you are caring for the child for more than 12 months.
Is the Unsupported Child Benefit asset tested?
No, it is not.
The Children are under Child Youth and Family custody but how do I support them financially?
Speak to your social worker about board payments and other extras.

Yes, it is called Unsupported Child’s Benefit (UCB) available from WINZ. You will have to satisfy them that you have the children because of family breakdown. return to top

What if we do not have custody but are raising the children because parents can not or will not?

You can still apply for the UCB. WINZ will want proof of family breakdown and you must be going to look after the children for the next 12 months.

Ask for a review and the reasons why turned down.

Phone the CAB and ask for the name of a WINZ advocate in your area.

Yes, get a letter from your Doctor and apply to WINZ for a “Disability Allowance”. return to top

I need some help with pre-school care, can I get help?

In some cases. If you receive the UCB, then ask your WINZ case worker about the OSCAR programme.

If you are on any kind of benefit from WINZ you will get this card. If in receipt of UCB then this should have happened automatically. return to top

How do you get Legal Aid?

You ask your lawyer to apply for you. You will have to pay the first $50.

Yes, provided you are under the required income, you can get Legal Aid but be warned they will place a caveat upon your home for this amount.

If a caveat is placed upon my home when does it get paid back?

When the home is sold, or upon your death.

We are getting abusive phone calls from the parent, what can we do?

Either change your phone number to a confidential one or get caller ID and vet the incoming calls.

Phone the Police immediately and get them to notify your social worker if you have one. Press charges against her. Notify the lawyer for the child if you have one also. Notify CYF call centre if after hours or on weekend and ask them to record your phone call.

Diary note everything that happens giving time and date. Any witnesses get them to do the same. Notify social worker and Counsel for Child.

Under no circumstances let them go. Diary it and call CYF call centre immediately to notify them. Ask call centre to record your call. Then on the first working day notify your social worker and Counsel for child.

Under no circumstances let them go. Diary it and call CYF call centre immediately to notify them. Ask call centre to record your call. Then on the first working day notify your social worker and Counsel for child.

Ask your School Principal to call in Special Education Services (SES) to get the children assessed.

Talk to your social worker and ask her to get the child seen by Specialty Services, this will be at no cost to you.

I have noticed bruising on my grandchildren. My daughter is a solo Mum, what should I do?

Step in alongside her to see what you can do to help her out. It is not easy being a solo parent. Do everything in your power to help resolve the situation. If you meet opposition, as a last resort contact CYF. In these matters it is better if the family can resolve this as this will cause less friction later on. But sometimes CYF has to be the way to go especially if there is danger for the children and if drugs are involved.

Telephone your local CYF office and ask for the Caregiver Liaison Social Worker. They should be able to tell you about courses that are run by them for caregivers and you can attend these even if your grandchildren are not under CYF.

I have 2 severely special needs children, and I need help?

Telephone Disability Services, Wilson Home or Parent to Parent. All can help and if not will put you in touch with someone who can. return to top

There are many parenting courses run throughout NZ: Barnardos, Plunket, The Parenting Place, Family Services. All should be able to steer you in the right direction. Or you can attend free caregiver courses run in NZ www.caregivertraining.org.nz

It is our understanding that your partner would not need to support the 3 grandchildren. The parent(s) of these children should be paying Child Support to you or IRD if you are in receipt of Unsupported Child Benefit and this will continue after you separate. Unless of course, the children have been adopted, by you both

If you are on the parenting order and your partner is not, then your partner does not necessarily take over the children.
The parent’s could use this opportunity to go back to Court and request custody/parenting Orders.
Therefore it would be would be wise to speak to a Family Court Lawyer about this situation. You have the opportunity to do Testimonial Guardianship in your will naming your partner, but this could possibly be contested.

Yes you should be able to get UCB.
Talk to your W & I case manger beforehand so this all falls into place at the same time.

If you are unsure of anything of a legal nature you should consult a Family Court Lawyer or make an appointment with your Local Community Law Office and arrange a 20 minute free consultation for advice.

Tell the Access Centre supervisor and ask them to contact your social worker.
Drive with your doors locked.
Tell Counsel for Child also.

0508 FAMILY or 0508 326 459