OSCAR – Out of School Care and Recreation Subsidy. We think it’s pretty awesome!
What is the OSCAR Subsidy?
The OSCAR (Work and Income’s Out of School Care and Recreation) Subsidy is a payment that helps families with the cost of Before and After School Care and School Holiday Programmes.
If you’re eligible, you can claim up to 20 hours per week for Before and After School Care and up to 50 hours per week for School Holiday Programmes.
We’ll work with you and your local Work and Income office to make sure that the process of applying for and receiving an OSCAR Subsidy is straightforward and stress-free. Find out who can apply for the OSCAR Subsidy below.
Am I eligible?
As a parent or caregiver, you'll meet the criteria if...
1
You are the primary caregiver of the child and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
2
Your family’s annual household income should fall within a range, depending on how many children you have. Visit the Work and Income OSCAR Subsidy table to view the latest income threshold table.
3
You 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.
What can I receive?
Example 1
John and Anita have one child, their combined income per week is $2,075. They would get a $3.56 subsidy rate per hour.
They can save up to $71.20 per week for after school care, and $178 per week for holiday care.
That’s up to 8 hours free per week during term time and up to 28 hours free per week during school holidays.
Example 2
Sally has two children, her income per week is $1,260. She would get a $5.09 subsidy rate per hour.
She can save up to $203.60 per week for after school care, and $509 per week for holiday care.
That’s up to 15 hours free per week during term time and up to 40 hours free per week during school holidays.
Example 3
May and Michael have three children, their combined income per week is $1,380. They would get a $6.38 subsidy rate per hour.
They can save up to $382.80 per week for after school care, and $957 per week for holiday care.
That’s up to 20 hours free per week during term time and up to 50 hours free per week during school holidays.
So, how much can I get?
First time applying for the subsidy?
Select “Regular bank payments every two weeks” for the payment option.
- Personal ID, 2 documents for proof of address and birth certificate for the child(ren) you are applying for.
- Proof of wages and other income.
- If you were born overseas - citizenship certificate, a passport with residence class, or permanent residence.
- If you're applying for medical reasons - proof from your doctor with the number of childcare hours you require.
- If you own your own business - full set of business accounts.
Once complete, email us at Hello@skids.co.nz and include your WINZ Client Number so we can complete the supervisors section of the application.
We will submit the form to WINZ and email you with confirmation of submission.
Once WINZ approves the Childcare Assistance application form, you will receive the OSCAR Subsidy for your booking for the current Term or Holiday Programme.
Email your completed application form to us at Hello@skids.co.nz
We will submit your form to WINZ and email you with confirmation of submission.
Applying for yournext subsidy?
Select “Regular bank payments every two weeks” for the payment option.
Once complete, email us at Hello@skids.co.nz and include your WINZ Client Number so we can complete the supervisors section of the application.
We will submit the form to WINZ and email you with confirmation of submission.
Other Frequently Asked Questions?
You can get up to 20 hours during term time and up to 50 hours during school holidays.
How much you get depends on:
- the size of your family
- your income
- how many hours a week your child goes to the childcare provider.
If you don’t know how many hours of care you’ll need each week (eg, you’re a casual or on-call worker) we’ll talk with you about your options when you apply.
Payments would be made directly to sKids and start from the date the care starts (or from the date you apply if you apply after it starts).
To give you an idea of the payments, check out the OSCAR Subsidy income threshold table
To receive your OSCAR Subsidy from the day your child starts the programme, you need to submit your application to us at least 3-4 weeks before your child’s first day. This is especially important in school holidays.
You should apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before you need your payments to start.
Subsidies are only applied to dates that your children have been booked for, so it is recommended that you book in for as many dates as required or for the whole term.
To find out more information regarding the OSCAR Subsidy, please visit the pages below.
WINZ will review applications and communicate directly with you if further information is required. You will receive an email and letter from WINZ confirming they have received the application and the outcome of your application.
Call WINZ on 0800 559 009. sKids cannot provide information on how/why applications are approved or declined.
Important: If your application is not approved, you are responsible for paying for the bookings in your account.
To receive the latest updates on your OSCAR Subsidy application, call Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) on 0800 559 009.
Yes, you need to reapply for the OSCAR Subsidy for every Term and Holiday Programme care you need. Bookings and subsidies do not automatically carry over.
The hourly rate paid to the provider is determined by your family’s income threshold and the number of children in your family. It is paid directly to us as the provider.
You will receive a monthly ‘Outstanding Balance Statement’ from sKids that summarises any unpaid invoices and the total amount owing. Any payments you make or by WINZ will be deducted from the total outstanding balance amount.
Ensure you have submitted the ‘OSCAR Subsidy Declaration form’ for the Holiday Programme. You need to reapply for the OSCAR Subsidy for each Term and Holiday Programme care you book your child in.
Contact WINZ to see if you are eligible to receive backdated payments if WINZ has advised you are approved to receive an OSCAR Subsidy. “We (WINZ) can grant you the financial assistance you’re entitled to from the date you first contact us, or the date your childcare started, whichever is later if you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.”
Visit skids.co.nz/oscar to find the application forms, or visit the Work and Income New Zealand website skids.co.nz/WINZ-OSCAR for more information.
Give your form to one of our team members and they will email it to hello@skids.co.nz on the day they receive the form, on your behalf.