Cash assets

• bills of exchange or promissory notes
• building society shares
• money in bank accounts, including fixed and term deposits with any bank, friendly society, credit union, or building society
• money invested with or lent to any bank, or other financial institution
• money withdrawn from a KiwiSaver scheme
• mortgage investments and other long-term loans
• pre-paid funeral expenses (in some circumstances)
• proceeds from the sale of the family home
• shares, stocks, debentures, bonus bonds and bonds and
• the client's share in any partnership

Note if you are unsure of a case please contact Helpline.

• a caravan, boat or other vehicle with a net equity less than $2000, or which is used by the person or a member of their family for day-to-day accommodation
• a home property and land on which it is situated
• a motor vehicle principally used by the client for private use
• information share Child Support payments currently being charged as income
• Christchurch mosques attack support payments
• Crown funds provided directly to clients to purchase Support Services and Direct Disability Support payments
• funds locked into KiwiSaver and other retirement scheme accounts
• Māori land where the title is in tribal trust and individual ownership cannot be identified, the client cannot realise or readily convert the land into a cash asset
  Note you should consult your Legal Services if you are unsure about the ownership of Māori land.
• MSD lump sum payments for the first 12 months after payment is made
• Payments of Accommodation Supplement arrears due to a system processing error from 1993 to 2014 (and any interest earned on the payment), for the first 12 months from when the payment was received
• Payments of arrears to Special Benefit clients better off on Temporary Additional Support for the first 12 months after payment is made
• Payments to clients whose Kāinga Ora tenancy was terminated due to methamphetamine contamination for the first 12 months after payment is made
• personal effects
• Residential Care Subsidy historic review refunds for the first 12 months after the payment is made
• Severe weather event payments for the first 12 months from when payment is received (and any interest earned on the payment)
• specified Ex gratia and compensation payments
• FamilyBoost Tax Credit payments for the first 12 months after payment is received
• Bonus Payment for the first 12 months after the payment is made

A bank overdraft is not considered a cash asset or resource available to a client.

Canterbury earthquake related payments

Payments made by the Crown, Earthquake Commission, insurance companies or the Canterbury Earthquake Commission (Red Cross) relating to the Canterbury earthquake are generally excluded for the first 12, or 24 months following the date the client received the payment.

For more information see, Types of income

If a client owns other property (including boats and caravans) that is capable of being realised as a cash asset for their personal use, this may affect whether they qualify for financial assistance.

To help you decide whether a property is a realisable asset see:

• Property not used as home