Beneficiary Advisory Service
Grants
There are several grants that Work and Income may be able to provide if you meet the income limit. you do need to be a beneficiary to receive these, and you may not have to pay the money back. The amounts are also often subject to income and asset limits. For Work and Income, a couple is defined as someone who is married, in a civil union, or de facto relationship.
We would note that, if you want to apply for these costs, don't pay for them first, but take the invoice into Work and Income, as they won't reimburse any costs already paid for. Sometimes they will give you a food grant if you have paid for other costs, but that is not guaranteed.
Special Needs Grants (Food Grants)
If you meet the income limit, you are entitled to the following amounts in Special Needs Grants every six months:
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$200 for a single person with no dependent children
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$300 for a couple with no dependent children
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$450 for a couple or a sole parent with 1 or 2 dependent children
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$550 for a couple or a sole parent with 3 or more dependent children
If you are applying for your first or second grant in a year, and you already have a payment card, then you should be able to apply for a grant on myMSD or over the phone. If you are applying for your third (or more) grant in a year, you may need to visit a Work and Income office. You may be asked to prove that you need a food grant because you have had to meet another essential expense (this does not have to be an unexpected cost, though your Case Manager may say it does). You can expect to be asked to provide receipts to verify this expenditure, and you may be asked to attend a budgeting course.
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Special Needs Grants (Food Grants) do NOT need to be paid back.
Medical treatment
Up to $300 is available towards the costs of emergency medical treatment (including doctors' fees, prescription charges or hospital care). You may be entitled to up to $300 (up to $400 for a child) if you are referred to a secondary health service by your GP or another doctor. This grant is for health travel costs and can include travel expenses for a
return journey of more than 8 kilometres to the place of treatment, assessment, or services; and the cost of accommodation and meals if an overnight stay away from home is necessary. If your spouse, partner or child needs medical assistance overseas, you may be entitled to a grant to cover the costs of reasonable overseas airfares, accommodation and living expenses so that you can be with them. ​
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You do NOT need to pay this back.
Whiteware
If you need a fridge-freezer and/or washing machine you may be able to apply for a grant for these. There is a preferred supplier arrangement in place for whitewater. Clients MUST purchase their whitewater from the set offered by Fisher and Paykel (current preferred supplier).
You WILL have to pay this back.
Glasses
If you need glasses you may be able to apply for a grant to pay for these. There is a preferred supplier arrangement in place for glasses and so you MUST visit the supplier specified by Work and Income. There is up to $249 if a preferred supplier is available in your area and up to $1000 if there is no preferred supplier in your area.
You WILL have to pay this back.
Housing
Assistance is available to pay a bond and rent in advance, or rent arrears. The guideline limit for this is $600. Alternatively, you can receive assistance towards essential maintenance or repairs on your house or property or essential services. As a guideline, the limit for this is $1000.
You WILL have to pay this back.
Identification documents
You may be entitled to apply for a grant of up to $500 towards the application fee for a New Zealand birth certificate or for a document of identification if your birth certificate is not registered in New Zealand.
You MAY have to pay this back.
Laser therapy for the removal of birthmarks
If you have a birthmark that is disfiguring and visible in normal clothing (as verified by a medical practitioner) you may be entitled to up to $300 for the costs, including travel costs, associated with laser treatment for the removal of the birthmark.
You DO NOT need to pay this back.
Long-acting reversible contraception
You or your dependent children may be entitled to one or more grants of up to $500 for the costs of obtaining or removing subsidised long-acting reversible contraception.
You DO NOT need to pay this back.
Repair and maintenance of effluent treatments
You may be entitled to a grant of up to $300 towards the cost of the repair or maintenance of an on-site effluent treatment system e.g. a septic tank, a long drop toilet, and a compost-based toilet.
You DO NOT need to pay this back.
Funeral Expenses
You may be able to get help to pay for funeral expenses. A grant of up to $2152.66 is available. This money can be used for costs such as
- professional services for preparing the body for cremation or burial
- the costs of a casket
- newspaper death notice costs
- burial/cremation & hearse fees
You DO NOT need to pay this back.
If you can't afford to travel to a funeral or tangi you may be entitled to a grant to cover the costs. The amount available will depend on your circumstances and you WILL have to pay this back.
Ambulance Fees
If you are charged a fee for an ambulance call you may be able to receive assistance for this up to $500.
You MAY have to pay this back.
Bedding
You may be entitled to a grant of up to $200 for bedding if you or someone in your immediate family has a long-term sickness or disability that causes extra wear and tear on bed linen OR You have a new baby or adopt a child into your family. This grant is available once every 52 week period for the same or similar purpose.
You DO NOT need to pay this back.