Emergency needs

Emergency Special Needs Grants may be made only when an emergency situation exists, which has given rise to an immediate need.

In determining whether an emergency situation exists, consider:

• whether the situation was unforeseen
• if the situation could have been foreseen or predicted, whether the client could reasonably have expected to make provision in advance in order to meet the need
• the extent to which not making a grant would
  • worsen the client's position
  • increase or create any risk to the life or welfare of the client or the client's partner or dependent children or
  • cause serious hardship to the client, or the client's partner or dependent children

Where the client needed emergency medical treatment and was unable to seek prior Ministry of Social Development approval for the service you can consider paying the account if the client has no other way of paying (e.g. through instalments) or their current budget does not leave room to meet this unexpected cost.

Special Needs Grants for Emergency Needs are non-recoverable unless otherwise stated. The following table lists the various Emergency Needs categories. Further details are listed under each category.