See: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/major-boost-support-caregivers-and-children
Hon Tracey Martin
A major increase in funding and availability of support will improve the incomes and reduce the pressure on 14,000 caregivers looking after more than 22,000 children.
Children’s Minister Tracey Martin says that caregivers – all those looking after someone else’s children both in and outside the state care system – do a hugely important job that needs to be recognised and supported.
“We started the first ever fundamental review of financial assistance for caregivers in 2019 and the clear message was that more help was needed,” Tracey Martin said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made addressing this issue more urgent as caregivers face the same financial pressures as other New Zealanders and the Government is responding with a significant funding increase.”
An additional $210 million over four years will be provided to caregivers caring for children both in and outside of the state care system who are unable to be cared for by their parents. This is being done by:
increasing the Unsupported Child’s Benefit (UCB), Orphan’s Benefit (OB) and Foster Care Allowance (FCA) by $25 a week per child ($143.1 million over 4 years)
allowing caregivers who may provide care for less than 12 months to access the Orphan’s Benefit and Unsupported Child’s Benefit ($46.6 million)extending Birthday and Christmas Allowances, which are currently only available to caregivers caring for children in state care, to those receiving the UCB and OB ($16.8 million)
continuing payments of the FCA to caregivers of children in state care for up to 20 days while the child they care for is in respite care ($3.2 million).
