There are a number of agencies and charities which offer financial support to help with school related expenses. The following web-links are a selection of the various types of support available as at November 2023. If you need guidance to work through your options, come and talk to a Financial Mentor at BSNC, we are happy to help.
WORK and INCOME
WINZ may be able to help you pay for school uniforms and stationery if you’re on a low income or a benefit.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/children/school-uniforms-and-stationery.html
If you’re on a low income, or a benefit and are struggling to pay school costs WINZ may be able to help.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/children/school-costs.html
WINZ offers a number of services for young people to help improve skills through education, training, work or other related activities.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/16-19-year-olds/index.html
If you have children who need looking after, WINZ may be able to help pay for childcare. WINZ can pay for up to 50 hours a week depending on your circumstances.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/children/childcare.html
A Childcare Subsidy is a payment that helps families with the cost or pre-school childcare. Check to see you if qualify as the thresholds have been updated.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/childcare-subsidy.html
Once your child turns 5 (or 6 if you’re getting a Child Disability Allowance), your Childcare Subsidy payments will stop. If your child needs before, after-school or holiday care, WINZ may be able to help pay for these costs with an OSCAR Subsidy.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/on-a-benefit/childcare/moving-from-childcare-subsidy-to-oscar.html
The Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Subsidy is a payment which helps families with the costs of before-school and after-school programmes for up to 20 hours a week, and school holiday programmes for up to 50 hours per week.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/oscar-subsidy.html
The School and Year Start-up Payment is available to people who are caring for someone else’s child and helps with the costs that mostly happen at the beginning of the year, in particular pre-school and school costs.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/school-and-year-start-up-payment.html
There are lots of costs involved with raising children. WINZ may be able to help you with some of them depending on your circumstances.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/children/index.html
Carers can apply for a grant from the Extraordinary Care Fund to help support a child in their care who is showing promise in a skill or talent, or because they are experiencing difficulties and need extra support.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/extraordinary-care-fund.html
If you’re caring for someone else’s child, WINZ may be able to help.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/carers/care-someone-else-child.html
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
What families need to know about School Donations, find out what schools can and cannot ask students and families to pay for:
CITY MISSION CHRISTCHURCH
The City Mission Christchurch’s Back to School Programme offers families assistance with buying things such as uniforms, shoes, stationery and other curricular material.
https://www.citymission.org.nz/back-to-school
J R MCKENZIE YOUTH EDUCATION FUND (Rotary)
The fund provides help where death, sickness, family break-up or economic hardship make it difficult for families to meet education costs. Grants may cover school uniform, shoes, textbooks and stationery. There are special grants to cover the cost of glasses or to help students with special needs.
https://www.youtheducationfund.org.nz/
MAKE IT HAPPEN
The trustees of this Charitable Trust identified a need for children whose families’ financial circumstances do not allow them to pursue, participate or seek out an activity that would improve their overall well- being. The Trust’s purpose is to make grants to children and their families in the Christchurch area. The grants are to meet or go towards the costs of sport, school activities, the arts, music, community or cultural activities, education (excluding learning assessments) and possible medical costs for children whose families’ financial means may inhibit them from otherwise doing so.
https://www.makeithappen.kiwi.nz/
VARIETY/KIWI KIDS SPONSORSHIP SCHEME
If your child is between 4 and 17 and you need help with things like uniform, clothing, shoes, bedding, extra-curricular and healthcare costs, you can apply to Variety’s Kiwi Kid Sponsorship scheme.
https://www.variety.org.nz/apply-for-funding/
RICCARTON ROTARY YOUTH TRUST
The purpose of the Riccarton Rotary Youth Trust is for the betterment of the education, training, advancement and benefit in life of young persons within New Zealand.
COMMUNITY DENTAL SERVICE
The Community Dental Service provides free dental care for eligible children living in Canterbury and South Canterbury. We also help teens find a free family dentist. Pre-school children (0-4 years) have their teeth checked and treated in a Community Dental Clinic. We have 14 clinics throughout Canterbury. Our dental vans visit primary and intermediate schools to check children’s teeth. School aged children visit a Community Dental Clinic if they need treatment.
https://www.cdhb.health.nz/health-services/community-dental-service/