Low Income Assistance

Let me start by saying... I DON'T WORK FOR WINZ.... however, all of the information in the media recently regarding low income earners and people with families not accessing assistance made me think...
Did you know... that you may be eligible for emergency or extra assistance with Work and Income provided you meet certain income limits that can be found
here
The income is established weekly (unlike IRD who take an annual income level to determine whether you qualify). That means that if your income drops for a week or two because you don't have sick pay or due to some other unforeseen circumstance, WINZ may be able to help you out. Special Needs Grants are for essential or emergency needs (e.g. food assistance, emergency medical or dental treatment) and usually don't need to be paid back. A recoverable assistance payment provides non-taxable, interest free, recoverable financial assistance to people not on benefits to meet essential immediate needs for specific items or services. Rates and limits can be found
here
It's also worth checking out the Working for Families website to see if you qualify for regular Accomodation or Childcare Assistance (
Childcare rates

Ahh well, I hope that this helps someone out there in computer land...and please, if you know someone that might qualify for assistance, please, please please encourage them to get the help that's available....it's not like these places are good at advertising....

Edited by emeldee

Ok I have to say something here caue I am the first to complian about the service at WINZ.  However some of you may have read my other post which expalin's my washing machine broke thinking there was not hope i went to bank etc to get help.  With no luck so off I wen t to WINZ expecting to have to beg plead and cry.  I did not need to do any of this  as my case manager saw me straight away and before i finished explaing thing's she told me there is no prob she can have the money loaned to me.  I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT HAVING TO PAY IT BACK.  I think it is awsome that they are able to do that plus it is interst free what is better then that .  IMHO I think having to pay it back is a good thing cause you are less likely to take advantage of it.  I think it is about time that us hard working tax paying families get a break.  For the fist time ever I am not worried about being a SAHM.