Other emergency grants

If the client meets all qualifications, they may be able to get a Special Needs Grant for an item or service not specified as an essential need or an emergency need if:

• special circumstances exist and
• they and/or their family would suffer serious hardship without the item or service

If you need help deciding whether to pay an emergency Special Needs Grant in these cases contact Helpline.

For more information on essential needs and emergency needs see:

Unless exceptional circumstances exist, the maximum amount payable towards an 'other emergency grant' is $500.

To help you decide whether the Special Needs Grant should be recoverable or non-recoverable, consider:

• the reason for the grant
• the clients particular need
• whether it would be fair to other clients to require or not require payment and
• the effect on the client if they had to repay the Special Needs Grant

If a client needs help to get or retain accommodation, they may qualify for a Housing Support Product.

When a client does not qualify for Housing Support Products, consider whether the client qualifies for assistance under 'other emergency grants'.

MSD must not grant a Special Needs Grant to help clients with any costs associated with emergency housing. This includes security deposits for emergency housing or transitional housing.

If a client needs help with emergency housing, including a security deposit for emergency housing or transitional housing, the client needs to apply for an Emergency Housing Grant or a Security Deposit Grant.

Note If the client is not eligible for an Emergency Housing Grant or Security Deposit Grant, they cannot get a Special Needs Grant for these costs.