WINZ Food Grants - how do they work?
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Topic: WINZ Food Grants - how do they work?
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Subject: WINZ Food Grants - how do they work?
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 3:18am
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Hi just a few quick questions, in light of us moving and all that's been going on we are REALLY struck for money ...so much so that I don't have any money left to buy our weekly groceries (had bills due to be paid, moving costs, healthcare costs (ugh and an ambulance fee due to arrive any day) and all the rest). I know my parents can tide us over for a few days with the essentials but can anyone enlighten me as to how I go about getting a food grant from WINZ?
I've never asked for one before, how much are you allowed ...and do you have to pay it back like on a loan basis or is it just granted to you as a one off thing? Is it just a matter of showing them all my bank statements that clearly show we have nothing ....or could I still not qualify? I'm paying back moving costs (for both the mouldy house AND the new place) to them at the moment so not overly keen on getting us into more debt if we have to pay it back, but we do need to eat and I need to buy some cleaning stuff for the next house..ugh. Don't even remind me it's nearly Xmas, everyone is getting homemade stuff and DS is lucky I bought years ahead in the toy sales when we were financially better off! Any advice on dealing with WINZ/food grants and what have you, greatly appreciated! ------------- Single Mum to a darling wee boy of 3 years :) |
Replies:
Posted By: BerryBliss
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 6:45am
| You don't need to pay it back, tho i'm pretty sure you need to be on a benifit of some sort to qualify, which i don't know if you are or not. Easiest thing to do is to ring them, or maybe try your local food bank ( i know if you use our local one you do have to sign up for a one of a few things first to get a parcel) |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 6:57am
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My friend got one not long ago, she is on a benefit. She had to take in a bank efpos statement & an unexspected bill to show where the money had gone.
From what I hear it is luck of the draw if you get a nice sympathetic one you should be alright. You need to ring the main number & make an appointment, they will ask what you want & may tell you that you wont get one but still go as there is nothing like face to face. I think it sucks how you pretty much have to beg for these. My friend said she is allowed about $400 a year but has to beg for a bit of it so only gets about 1 a year & gets small part of that. |
Posted By: Snappy
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 7:44am
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I don't think you need to be on a benefit to get a food grant. You just need to show your bank statements to prove you are stuck.
They work out how much of a food grant you get based on when you next get paid. So if its a Wednesday and you have no money till Friday, they only give you 2 days worth of "food grant" if that makes sense. You don't have to pay it back, and I think you get one or two per year? |
Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 7:49am
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You need to produce a bank statement (printed off that day ideally), your ID, and a copy of bills and reciepts to show where the money has gone.
The amount they grant you is dependant on a few things - how many people there are to feed, how long it is until the next pay, etc. The maximum a parent or parents with kids can claim in a 26 week period is $450. Unfortunately, the food bank likes to know you've been to winz before them as not enough food is donated these days. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 10:11am
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Yeah I'm on a benefit, so i guess it's luck of the draw. Will go to Work & Income monday morning after I get a printout from the bank, see how we get on. Thanks ------------- Single Mum to a darling wee boy of 3 years :) |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 10:18am
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I went in for one a few weeks back and got turned down cause I had $30 in my account! I was so pissed!
you don't have to be receiving a benefit but some sort of allowance at least from them. you need proof of ID, bank balance or statement with the last 10 transactions, proof of income if hubby/partner works also if you have a couple of extra unexpected bills then copys of those |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 8:06pm
Failing that, buy bread  That's what we do when we have no food for a week sometimes. Luckily DS loves toast.
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Posted By: LG
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 8:46pm
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Yep if you're on a benefit you'll need to take in a current bank statement and any verification of the bills that you've paid. Kaiz231 and Flutterby are both right with working out how much they will give you but it can still be luck of the draw too. If you weren't receiving a benefit you would have to meet an income test to get one. Good luck on monday -------------  Angel Baby Aug '12, Feb '13 |
Posted By: Dani01
Date Posted: 06 December 2009 at 8:16pm
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You don't have to be on a benefit, although if you aren't then you need to be under an income limit. It could be something that you have to pay back if you aren't on a benefit, if you are on a benefit then you don't pay the food grants back.
Like some of the others said it is dependent on what is in your account and where the money has gone. Like you say you have had things you have had to pay. You will need to take in a bank statement, photo id and payslips for both you and your partner if you work. Also receipts of the things you have had to pay for that has made put you in the position where you don't have food. It is up to the case manager at the time as to if you are granted one and how much. Good luck  ------------- http://tickers.cafemom.com"> 
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Posted By: Aprilfools
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 10:58am
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Are you in Auckland? I have cleaning stuff and tins of food that I'd be only too happy to get rid of. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 12:04pm
| I hate that these things are dependent on the mood of the person at the time. I imagine it isnt easy deciding that you need to ask! |