Other sources of assistance

Before making an Advance Payment of Benefit, MSD should discuss other options with the client that they may not have considered.

Some examples may include (but are not limited to):

• meeting the need from the next income payment due
• assistance from other government agencies
• arranging automatic payments
• negotiating payment of accounts by instalments
• hire purchase
• other income assistance

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

MSD must also check to see if the client qualifies for any other assistance before granting an Advance Payment of Benefit (including when the essential need is specified in the Advance categories).

For example:

• when there is an emergency need, or when the client or their family would suffer serious hardship without the item or service, it may be more appropriate to grant Special Needs Grant- other emergency grants if the item is not specified as an essential or emergency need, and there are special circumstances. This could be recoverable or non-recoverable.
• when a client needs help to get accommodation or is at risk of losing their existing accommodation, MSD should consider Housing Support Products
• when a client has an emergency housing need, MSD should consider granting an Emergency Housing Grant

Consider:

• Special Needs Grants when urgent assistance is needed to relieve immediate hardship
• Emergency Housing Grant when a client cannot access other accommodation adequate for their needs
• Accommodation Supplement
• Disability Allowance
• Temporary Additional Support
• Assistance to transition into employment
• Housing Support Products

If you need help deciding whether the client qualifies for other assistance contact Helpline.

Consider the balance of any Student Loan available. Consideration should be given to declining the application if this option has not been exhausted.

Note under no circumstances are students to be told to apply for institution hardship funds.

Students may qualify for a Special Needs Grant.