Application procedure

Generally, when family violence has occurred, clients are referred to Work and Income by a refuge organisation or New Zealand Police.

When a client contacts, or is referred to, Work and Income or contacts Work and Income direct, Work and Income staff should take an application and refer the client to Immigration New Zealand

Entry onto this programme will be co-coordinated through National Office, with service centres responsible for administration of weekly Special Needs Grant payments.

Note clients can complete an application for a Special Needs Grant when they make first contact, however, the application cannot be decided until National Office have advised that the application for a Special Needs Grant has been approved.

National Office is responsible for:

• co-ordinating entry onto this programme
• maintaining a central register for all clients and
• providing the service centre with confirmation of eligibility under the Welfare Programme

When a client applies for a Special Needs Grant you must contact National Office to confirm the client's eligibility under the Welfare Programme. The initial Special Needs Grant payment is not to be made without approval from Helpline.