There are many things you think of when you have a new baby and one of these can are the costs involved. I have collated some web sites, which provide information on entitlements, assistance and budgeting.
Parental Leave
For information on parental leave entitlements you can talk to your employer or find out information via the Department of Labour, their web site is: www.ers.dol.govt.nz go through to the parental leave page which is: www.infoline.govt.nz/parentalleave/
To make the process of receiving parental leave as easy as possible, they have created online question and answer calculators. At the end of the exercise, entitlement details are provided, together with an explanation of the process for applying for parental leave and the statutory parental leave payment.
For more detailed information or guidance contact the Department of Labour http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/help/index.html on 0800 209020.
Budgeting
The following is a list of handy websites that can help with budgets.
Sorted web site has calculators that help make budget plans and set goals with saving or paying off debt.
http://www.sorted.org.nz/calculators/budget/
The New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services is a national, non-government organisation (NGO) and is the umbrella body for family budgeting in Aotearoa-New Zealand. The Federation national office provides training, support, and resources to its members and offers advocacy and advice.
http://www.familybudgeting.org.nz/advice/advice.htm
The web site for Work and Income is http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/brochures/managing-your-money.pdf
This booklet tells you what budgeting is about, and the types of help you may be able to get. They have written this booklet together with the New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services to help you manage your money better.
You'll find a budget advisor at your local budget service - see the white pages of your phone book under Budget Advice Services.
You could also ask your local Work and Income
Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy
The Childcare Subsidy programme makes quality childcare more affordable for families with dependent children, especially if you need a bit of extra help so that you can work or prepare for a working future. Generally, the children need to be under 5 years old and attending an early childhood programme for three or more hours a week (or under 6 years if you get a Child Disability Allowance for them).
The OSCAR Subsidy (Out of School Care and recreation Subsidy) is financial assistance for families for children aged 5 to 13 (or up to 18 years if they receive a Child Disability Allowance). It helps towards the costs of before and after school programmes of up to 20 hours a week and school holiday programmes of up to 50 hours a week.
Free Early Childhood Education
From 1 July 2007 the Government will fund the cost of children aged three and four attending early childhood education for up to 20 hours a week. This will be up to six hours a day at any teacher-led ECE service offering Free ECE, which has a place available for the child.
The Childcare Subsidy may still be available to support people who need extra hours on top of Free ECE.
Income support payments (include benefit payments and any extra help such as Accommodation Supplement, Child Support, etc) -
Call free on 0800 559 009 if you don't know what your payments are
Working for Families Tax Credits
Formerly known as "Family Assistance".
The online calculator "Estimate your Working for Families Tax Credits" available on the Inland Revenue web site: http://www.ird.govt.nz/wff-tax-credits/ in the "Work it out" section helps you estimate your entitlement.
Simply enter the required information in the boxes, and the calculator will estimate your weekly payment. Phone 0800 227 773 to find out your correct entitlement.
