Help with emergencies
If you have an emergency and don't have enough money to meet your necessary costs, we may be able to help with a grant.
An emergency grant can help in a range of situations. Special conditions apply for all emergency grants. Contact us for more information.
- The Special Needs Grant can help if you have an emergency like urgent dental care (you may have to pay this back).
- The Recoverable Assistance Payment can help with necessary costs like replacing your prescription glasses in an emergency (you'll have to pay this back).
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The Student Allowance Transfer Grant can help if you have a partner or a child and are in hardship because your Student Allowance has stopped and you're waiting for your benefit to start.
Ask us how we can help in an emergency. There are special conditions so please ask us about them. For more details, contact us.
Special Needs Grant
The Special Needs Grant is a one-off payment to help out with urgent things like food, bedding and emergency dental or medical treatment.
Generally, you may get a Special Needs Grant if you:
- have urgent and necessary needs
- have no other way to meet these costs
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are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
You should also normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
It may also depend on:
- how much you and your spouse or partner earn
-
any money or assets you and your spouse or partner have.
This information is a guide only. Please contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
Recoverable Assistance Payment
Recoverable Assistance is a payment which helps people pay for something they need urgently when they have no other way of paying for it.
Recoverable Assistance has to be paid back but may be paid back in instalments.
You may get a Recoverable Assistance Payment grant if:
- your need is urgent and essential
- you have no other way to meet this cost
-
you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
You should also normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
It also depends on:
- how much you and your spouse or partner earn
-
any money or assets you and your spouse or partner have.
This information is a guide only. Please contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
