NZ Special Needs Grant Payment: Eligibility, Payment Dates and News. The New Zealand government has provided its citizens with a grant called a special needs grant. This grant is a one-off payment to help the individuals to pay an essential or emergency cost if they are not able to pay it another way. This grant includes the payment for costs, such as emergency dental or medical treatment, food or bedding. To learn more about the special needs grant, read the article below.
NZ Special Needs Grant Payment
A Special Needs Grant payment, also known as a re-establishment grant, is a payment provided by the government of New Zealand to support people in specific circumstances and re-establish themselves in the community. Work and Income may be able to provide you with financial assistance with emergency and urgent expenses, like an unexpected bill or a medical emergency, depending on your situation. You may be able to receive this help even if you are already receiving a benefit.
This grant can pay for things like:
- accommodation, including security deposit and rent in advance
- beds, bedding and necessary appliances
- a fridge, freezer or washing machine
- clothing
- translation fees for documents related to work
- connecting electricity, gas and telephone
- the price of enrolling in English language classes, including transport costs
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for receiving this grant, you must fulfil the eligibility criteria as follows:
- If you have an immediate and essential or an emergency cost that you cannot pay for.
- You do not have any other way to be able to pay for it.
- If you are either of the following:
- a New Zealand, or
- a permanent resident, or
- ordinarily in New Zealand while holding a residence class visa.
- You are also eligible if you normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
- When you have an emergency cost, Work and Income will note the following points before providing you the special needs grant:
- whether you knew the cost was going to come up
- whether you could have covered the cost yourself
- how the Special Needs Grant will help your situation
- The payment can also be dependent on other factors based on the essential or emergency cost you apply for, such as:
- How much you and your spouse earn
- Any money or cash assets you and your spouse have
- Work and Income can also assist you if you don’t have any money in the bank or any cash assets and are not able to pay for your food.
What Can You Get?
The special needs grant will provide you payments for essential expenses like:
- Driver’s licence
- Food
- Dental treatment
- Health travel costs
- Bedding
- Vasectomies
- Effluent treatment system maintenance and repair
- Laser therapy to remove birthmark
- Wigs and hairpieces
- Breast pump if you are not able to breastfeed because you or your baby have health problems
Emergency expenses may include:
- Ambulance fees
- Medical treatment
- Medical equipment
- Water tank refill
Payment Dates
In New Zealand, the special needs grant, provided by Work and Income, typically does not have a specific payment date. The payments are given on the basis of several factors, such as what your emergency is and whether your application will be approved. To apply, you have to contact Work and Income and tell them why you need this payment in detail. They will understand your problem and will tell you if you are eligible for this grant or not and how they can assist you. If your application is approved, then you will receive a payment card loaded with money.
How to Apply?
You cannot apply for this grant online by just filling out an application form. You have to contact Work and Income. You need to call them on 0800 599 009. They will talk to you, understand your problem and try to assist you. You may need to provide some information to them to prove your eligibility. They may approve or reject your application depending on your situation. If your application is approved, then you will receive a payment card loaded with money. You will be provided seven days to spend it or it will expire. This card can be used at any supermarket or retailer that takes them. To check how much is left, you can log in to MyMSD. By this, you can also check when your card is going to expire.