Thanks Rose for putting this together for Home educators:
Obligations
Domestic Purposes Benefit clients have the following obligations:
· they must advise of any change in circumstances that affect their entitlement or rate of benefit payable
· if required, they must participate in the Personal Development and Employment planning process, that may include:
- attending interviews
- developing and signing a Person Development and Employment Plan
- taking part in a regular review of their Plan (depending on their individual circumstances)
- showing commitment to the goals they have included in their Plan
· if they are a sole parent, apply for Child Support
Note clients receiving the Domestic Purposes Benefit cannot be pressured into taking up or accepting employment.
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/main_benefits/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents-48.htm
As regards homeschooling, the only reference I could find to that was a work test on an unemployment benefit, however it does not appear that it even needs to be raised, according to the information from the next page I found:
Change in age
A child’s age affects the:
· family tax credit payable and
· whether or not the child meets the definition of dependent child
Child remains dependent
A child is considered to be a dependent child unless:
· the child is in full-time employment
Note that generally a child can still be a dependent child when they start part-time employment. For more information see: Child starts part-time employment
· receiving a basic Student Allowance or an Independent Circumstances Allowance
Note receipt of Student Loan does not necessarily mean a child is financially independent.
· receiving a benefit in their own right or
· financially independent
Under 18 and not attending school
A child does not have to be attending school to remain a dependent child up until the age of 18 years.
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/main_benefits/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents/changes_and_reviews_-_dpb_-_sole_parents/child_changes_dpb_sole_parent-08.htm
And if your child continues education beyond the age of 18, there is also information regarding that situation:
Child turns 18 years old
When a dependent child turns 18 years old they are excluded from Domestic Purposes Benefit - Sole parent.
Exception
Where a dependent child is attending school or a tertiary institution (including by correspondence) you may continue to include the child in Domestic Purposes Benefit - Sole parent.
For more information see:
· Child aged 18 years and continues education
Date of review
Exclude the child from the date the child turns 18 years old.
However, there is some discretion to continue payment up to and including one payday following the date the child turns 18 years.
Child applies for a benefit in their own right
A dependent child cannot apply for a benefit (in their own right) until they have attained the qualifying age for that benefit. When the child’s benefit is granted they will have an initial stand-down period.
Wherever possible (and in appropriate circumstances) the date of exclusion of the child from the client’s benefit and the commencement date of the child’s benefit should coincide to avoid financial hardship for the family.
Note the child must be excluded no later than the commencement date of the benefit granted in the child’s own right.
Also see:
· Effect on benefit
· Processing standards << Child inclusion - exclusion >> [link not available]
Legislation
· Review of benefits section 81 Social Security Act 1964
· Children continuing education section 63A Social Security Act 1964
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/main_benefits/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents/changes_and_reviews_-_dpb_-_sole_parents/child_changes_dpb_sole_parent-09.htm
Child aged 18 years and continues education
Where a dependent child is 18 years of age and is attending school or a tertiary establishment (including by correspondence), the child can continue to be regarded as a dependent child up until the end of the school year in which the child turns 18 years old.
If the child returns to school or a tertiary establishment the following year, the child can apply for Student Allowance or Student Loan.
For more information see:
· Correspondence School
Legislation
· Child continuing education section 63A Social Security Act 1964
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/main_benefits/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents/changes_and_reviews_-_dpb_-_sole_parents/child_changes_dpb_sole_parent-10.htm
Info on making sure you are not overpaid your family tax credit:
Child leaves school
Child under the age of 18 years
Where a child under the age of 18 years leaves school or an educational facility, continue to include the child in the benefit provided the child remains a dependent child.
Child aged 18 years leaves school during the academic year
Where a child aged 18 years leaves school or an educational facility during the academic year the child should be excluded from the benefit from the beginning of the next pay period in which the child leaves school or an educational facility.
There is discretion to continue payment for one payday following the date the child left school. You need to consider the activity the child is going to when you consider the use of this discretion.
Family tax credit
Family tax credit payments should be stopped from the beginning of the next pay period in which the child left school or educational facility, to avoid an overpayment (with Inland Revenue) for the client.
Child aged 18 years at the end of the school year
The end of school year process identifies where a Domestic Purposes Benefit - Sole Parent includes a child who is 16 years or older.
The child can remain included in the benefit up to and including the first payday in January.
Where the child applies for a benefit in their own right (prior to the first payday in January) exclude the child from:
· the date the child’s own benefit is granted or
· the first pay day in January following
whichever is the earlier.
Family tax credit
When a child leaves school or an educational facility, family tax credit payments cease from the day the child is excluded from the client’s Domestic Purposes Benefit - Sole Parent.
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/main_benefits/domestic_purposes_benefit_-_sole_parents/changes_and_reviews_-_dpb_-_sole_parents/child_changes_dpb_sole_parent-16.htm | 
