Emergency assistance
A client receiving Residential Care Subsidy may be able to receive a Special Needs Grant if they meet all of the qualifications.
Before considering a Special Needs Grant, check that the item that they are applying for is not paid by, or the responsibility of, the service provider.
When processing a recoverable Special Needs Grant in SWIFTT, the Residential Care Subsidy must be stopped first to access the appropriate screen in SWIFTT and recommend/approve/decline the Special Needs Grant. You must contact the Residential Subsidy Unit in Whangarei who will do this for you. They will be responsible for re-starting the Residential Care Subsidy and re-directing the benefit contribution.
SWIFTT
When recommending a recoverable Special Needs Grant an offset amount is required to be entered in SWIFTT. This offset amount is then removed by the Residential Subsidy Unit when re-starting the Residential Care Subsidy.
Personal allowances
The recoverable Special Needs Grant must not be recovered from the client's Personal Allowance unless the client gives their permission. Do not commence recovery of any recoverable Special Needs Grant until the client is released from care, or in the event of death, seek recovery from the client's estate.
If the client gives their permission to recover the Special Needs Grant from their Personal Allowance the appropriate MSD Collections is added as a payee on the client's record.
