Other sources of assistance
Rather than payment of a Recoverable Assistance Payment, discuss with the client other options that they may not have considered. Some examples may include (but are not limited):
- 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
Note a bank overdraft facility is not considered a cash asset or resource available to a client.
Other income assistance
You must check to see if the client qualifies for other assistance before granting a Recoverable Assistance Payment.
Consider:
- Special Needs Grants when urgent assistance is needed to relieve immediate hardship
- Housing Support Products for help to get and retain rental housing
- Accommodation Supplement
- Disability Allowance
- Temporary Additional Support
District Health Boards assistance
Recoverable Assistance Payments can be approved to assist with items partially subsidised by District Health Boards where the client still has to pay a shortfall. For example, dentures and hearing aids. Payment is for the unsubsidised portion only. This does not apply to glasses (optical goods and services).
Student assistance
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 referred to institution hardship funds. Students may be eligible for Special Needs Grant assistance.
