Civil Defence Payment
Civil Defence Payments are available to meet the immediate needs of people affected by a civil defence emergency or adverse event.
A Civil Defence Payment is available to people resident in an area when:
- a civil defence emergency has been declared under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 or
- a Regional Commissioner in consultation with the Group General Manager Client Service Delivery and a Local Authority and/or other relevant emergency service has directed that an event meets the established guidelines for a civil defence emergency or adverse event and
- the person has left their home as a result of the civil defence emergency or adverse event, or was away from their home at the time of the emergency and is unable to return to their home due to the emergency or
- the person must stay confined in their home as a result of the civil defence emergency or adverse event or
- the person is unable to work as a result of the civil defence emergency or adverse event and
- the person does not have insurance to cover the cost of their immediate needs
No income and asset test
There is no income or asset test. Civil Defence Payments are non-taxable and do not affect a person's eligibility for most other forms of social assistance. This is due to the exceptional circumstances of those affected by a civil defence emergency or an adverse event.
Exception is Temporary Additional Support when Civil Defence Payments for 'loss of livelihood' are counted as chargeable income.
Payments for accommodation costs can't be made in a situation where an offer of alternative and free accommodation is available, or when a person is able to return to their home but chooses not to.
Lawfully present in New Zealand
A Civil Defence Payment is only available to people who are lawfully present in New Zealand. This means the person must:
- be a New Zealand citizen or
- hold, or be deemed to hold, a current visa under the Immigration Act 2009
This includes temporary visa holders and international tourists.
In the first instance, international tourists must contact their travel agent or consulate for assistance. If assistance is not available or cannot be provided quickly enough, a Civil Defence Payment can be considered.
Note a Civil Defence Payment is not available to a person who is unlawfully in New Zealand e.g. an overstayer.
Insurance claim
If a person has made an application to their insurance company to cover the cost of their immediate needs, but there is a delay in their insurance claim, assistance can be provided on the basis that repayment will be made when the insurance payment is received.
