Method of payment for emergency housing contribution

Clients who qualify for an Emergency Housing Grant must pay the emergency housing contribution by the date or dates determined by MSD.

How it is paid depends on whether or not the client is getting a main benefit, New Zealand Superannuation, or Veterans Pension.

A client getting a main benefit, New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension will generally pay their emergency housing contribution with a redirection of benefit payment from their main benefit, New Zealand Superannuation, or Veteran's Pension.

Clients who are required to pay an emergency housing contribution generally have good cause for a redirection, but the client may be able to show strong evidence there is no good cause. Each case must be considered on its own facts.

Clients may choose to have their emergency housing contribution paid using a salary or wage deduction. In these cases, MSD can issue an employer deduction notice to the client's employer, for the amount of their contribution.

However, the employer must not make the deduction if it would reduce the amount of salary or wages below the protected earnings rate.

If it does, the client will need to arrange to pay the contribution themselves by bank transfer to MSD's designated account.