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The Families Package – Best Start payments
From 1 July 2018 the Families Package takes effect, including the Best Start tax credit.
This is a new weekly payment of $60 per child, available to eligible parents who have a baby due on or after 1 July 2018.
All eligible families will receive this payment until the child turns 1 year old, regardless of their household income. Households whose income is less than $79,000 will continue to receive $60 per week until the child turns 3 years old. Those earning above $79,000 may continue to receive payments at a reduced amount. The upper threshold is $94,000 (for one child) when payments stop.
Parents can apply for Best Start when registering their baby’s birth through SmartStart. If the birth is not registered through SmartStart, the parents can apply for Best Start by completing the Working for Families registration (FS1) form.
A parent is eligible for Best Start payments if:
they are the principal caregiver of the child
they are a NZ resident/citizen and have been in NZ for a continuous period of 12 months at any time
they have received an IRD number for the child and
the child they are claiming for is both a resident and present in NZ.
For more information go to:
www.ird.govt.nz...
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Show us your winter craft or DIY projects
When we are stuck inside, it can be a time to get creative. And we think Neighbourly members are quite a creative bunch. So, let's fill the Neighbourly newsfeed with crafty creations from across the country.
Share a photo below of your craft projects, recent DIY, or your hobby. You may just inspire someone else!
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Latest scams to look out for 👀
Neighbourly hopes to keep you safe by keeping you informed of the latest scams circulating. This week, we are sharing two common text message scams:
NZTA / Waka Kotahi scam:
- The scam is a text message saying it's from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and it encourages the recipient to pay an overdue road toll by visiting a fake website, threatening to take the matter to court within 15 days if they don’t pay up.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- While it is not the first time toll payments have been utilised by scammers, the threat of court action could see more people fall victim.
- The sender will either be a unknown phone number or unknown email address.
Want to report one of these scams? Do so, on Netsafe
NZ Post scam:
- This scam arrives by test message and says it's from NZ Post.
- The premise is that delivery of your parcel was unsuccessful so in order to rearrange delivery. you must click on a link to give your correct address.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- NZ Post advises people not to click the link, but to report the message to the Department of Internal Affairs by forwarding it to 7726.
Think you may have fallen prey to a scam? Get in touch with Netsafe or contact your bank if it involved your bank details.
Remember, if you didn't expect the message and you are now asked to share personal details or money, then stop contact and seek advice elsewhere.
Feel free to share any below that you've encountered recently. This may help others across the country be aware.
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