Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Subsidy
Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Subsidy is a payment which helps families with the costs of before and after school care for up to 20 hours a week, and school holiday programmes for up to 50 hours a week.
Who Can Get This
You may be able to get an OSCAR Subsidy if:
you're the principal caregiver of a dependent child
you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
your family is on a low or middle income.
You also need to be in one of these situations
working, studying or on an approved training course
involved in an activity that Work and Income has asked you to do
a shift worker who works nights
seriously ill or disabled
caring for a child in hospital or for a child you get the Child Disability Allowance for.
Who Canot Get This
You can't get the OSCAR Subsidy if the child's other parent or caregiver can take care of the child.
It also depends on how much you and your partner earn.
To receive your OSCAR subsidy from the day your child starts the programme, you need to submit your application to us before your child's first day. This is especially important at school holidays.
The child or young person must:
normally live in New Zealand
be at school
be under 14 (or under 18 if you get a Child Disability Allowance for them)
be attending an approved OSCAR programme for at least 3 hours a week, which includes:
before school
after school
holiday programmes and camps.
Check what you might get.
The Following link will take you to Ministry of Social Development website. Complete the questionnaire to calculate estimated subsidy you might be eligible for.