Given the tough times we are in, its important to ensure we maximise every opportunity we have to increase our incomes.  Working for Families is a package designed to help make it easier to work and raise a family. It puts more money in the pockets of thousands of New Zealand families.  The income thresholds were raised in April, so, if you did not previously qualify for assistance, there may be a very good chance that you qualify now.  I will do a series of four articles on what you are entitled to with this one being an overview.

Who is eligible to receive support?
• almost all families with children, earning under $70,000 a year
• many families with children, earning up to $100,000 a year
• some larger families earning more
• some people without children may qualify for help with housing costs.

Over the next three columns we’ll be letting you know about some of the extra help you may be entitled to through Working for Families, starting with various tax credits, following on with help with housing costs and last, but certainly not least, help with childcare costs.

Increasing Working for Families Tax Credits
Working for Families Tax Credits have increased and are available to more families with children.

More affordable housing
The Accommodation Supplement has increased and is available to more working families and many people without children.

More help with childcare costs
Subsidies for pre-school and out-of-school care have increased significantly and are available to more parents earning higher incomes.

To find out more, visit www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz where there are calculators to work out your eligibility. Or alternatively, contact Work and Income on 0800 774 004 or Inland Revenue on 0800 227 773 to find out if you qualify. 

This entry was posted under Budgeting & Money. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.