Single client

If exceptional circumstances exist, a single client with no dependent children may be able to receive a Special Needs Grant during the application process for a benefit and/or during their initial stand-down if they meet all the qualifications.

The client must also:

• be suffering serious hardship and

If the client will be subject to work obligations, they must:

• accept suitable employment when offered or
• participate in an activity that Work and Income considers suitable, which will improve their work-readiness or prospects for employment

You may grant and pay a recoverable Special Needs Grant to the client up until either:

• the date of decline of the benefit or
• the date of grant of the benefit or
• the commencement date of the benefit or
• the date the application for benefit lapses

whichever is the later.

More than one payment can be made to a client, but the maximum amount payable, in any one week cannot be more than:

• half the maximum weekly rate of Jobseeker Support the client would have received if they were entitled to that benefit

Special Needs Grants for this purpose are recoverable.

Only when a client has received their maximum entitlement to recoverable assistance during their initial stand-down can you consider providing other assistance, either recoverable or non-recoverable. To receive other emergency grants they or a member of their immediate family must be:

• experiencing an emergency situation or
• in extreme hardship

A client is still required to meet all the qualifications for any other Special Needs Grant assistance they apply for, including non-recoverable assistance.

The exception to the restriction is grants relating to re-establishment situations (eg Steps to Freedom).