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Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/policy/transition-to-adulthood-advice-and-assistance/
Printed: 06/12/2024
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Listen to this policy:

Transition to adulthood — Advice and assistance

This policy provides key information to help ensure our advice and assistance meets the needs of eligible rangatahi and helps them move towards independence.

Requirement to access government and community options before providing financial assistance

We must make reasonable efforts to access services and support, including financial support, available to rangatahi through government and community sources before we provide financial assistance.

Financial assistance will usually be paid directly to rangatahi

Financial assistance provided under the Transitions to Adulthood Service must be paid directly to rangatahi unless:

  • there is a mutual agreement between rangatahi, Oranga Tamariki and any other people involved in the payment to do otherwise
  • it is not in the best interests of rangatahi to pay them directly
  • we have good reason to be concerned about the potential misuse of financial assistance if paid directly to rangatahi
  • it is a large sum of money and it would be safer to pay it directly to the recipient – for example, a payment for a training or education course.

If payment is not made directly to rangatahi, we must record our decision and justification on CYRAS.

Financial assistance to support living arrangements with a caregiver

Financial assistance to eligible rangatahi who are entitled to live with a caregiver under a Living Agreement Arrangement is covered in the policy 'Entitlement to remain or return to live with a caregiver'.

Policy: Transition to adulthood – Entitlement to remain or return to live with a caregiver

Financial assistance to support independent living

We may provide short-term funding to rangatahi to find and maintain suitable accommodation when other funding supports are not available.

Flexibility in financial assistance for education to support course completion

If we are making a contribution or grant for a course of education or training, or providing any other financial assistance that the rangatahi needs to complete the course, we may:

  • continue providing financial assistance after they turn 25 to enable them to complete the course
  • continue providing financial assistance after a period of non-attendance provided they resume as soon as they are reasonably able to.

Providing assistance in an emergency or crisis

We must provide assistance immediately when we become aware of the needs of an eligible rangatahi, including any of their tamariki, in an emergency or crisis situation.

The requirement that we access government and community options before providing financial assistance to rangatahi only applies if these options will meet their immediate needs.

The assistance we can provide in emergency or crisis situations includes but is not limited to:

  • emergency accommodation
  • food
  • transport
  • financial support.