How our estimates work
EntitleCheck is an independent New Zealand entitlement checker, not a government agency. We use your answers and published rules to provide an initial estimate. The relevant agency decides eligibility and the amount payable.
What a result means
- The free check uses income bands. Actual income, assets, residence, shared care and changes during the year can alter the result. Confirm these before applying.
- Items marked as needing information are excluded from the cash total. An annual estimate is not necessarily the amount you will receive over the next twelve months. Quarterly credits, annual rebates and discount cards work differently.
- FamilyBoost needs the household income for the claim quarter and actual ECE fees. Best Start cannot overlap with government-funded paid parental leave for the same child.
Sources and effective dates
Policy information reviewed 2026-10-03. Different rules take effect on different dates; check the official guidance again before applying.
- Govt.nz: Rates Rebate 2026/27 — up to $830; apply by 30 June 2027 using the relevant April 2025–March 2026 income.
- IRD: FamilyBoost — the income reduction applies to the maximum credit before comparing it with 40% of eligible fees.
- IRD: Best Start — children born on or after 1 April 2026 are income-tested from their first year.
- Work and Income: April 2026 rates
- IRD: KiwiSaver changes — the default contribution rate is 3.5% from April 2026; 4% starts in April 2028.
- Employment NZ: Employment Leave Act 2026 — takes effect on 6 August 2028. The Holidays Act 2003 applies until then.
Free applications and optional reports
You can check and apply through the official agencies for free. A purchase is not required for your free EntitleCheck result. Optional benefits claim packs cost $14 and action plans cost $39 once; other products show their price before checkout. Buying a report does not guarantee approval.
Start free check