Exceptional circumstances

Generally, payments for work confidence, motivational assistance and wage subsidies cannot be more than the maximum amount.

If a client has exceptional circumstances and needs additional assistance, the maximum amount of assistance can be exceeded for:

• work confidence and motivation assistance
• wage subsidies

When determining if a client has exceptional circumstances you may consider (but are not limited to):

What activity is the client going to undertake

Does the client have the ability to undertake employment now without any further work confidence or motivational assistance, or wage subsidy

Does the client have the ability to fund the item or service from their own resources

Can the item or service be funded from another source

If the work confidence and motivation assistance or wage subsidy is not funded will the client be able to undertake the activity or transition into employment

What is the least amount for the item or service being purchased

Has the Ministry of Social Development assistance previously been used to pay for the item? If yes, what circumstances does the client have that requires MSD to fund this again?

Note any payment for work confidence or motivational assistance or a wage subsidy in excess of the maximum amounts payable within a 52-week period, must be approved by your manager client service delivery or higher.