Benefit paid for a specific period
Emergency Benefit is temporary assistance for a client who:
- is in hardship
- is unable to earn enough income for themselves (and any dependent family)
and
- cannot receive another benefit
When Emergency Benefit is granted, the reason the client is unable to earn a sufficient livelihood may be due to a particular situation for a certain period. Each application must be assessed on its own merits and Emergency Benefit should only be granted for the period it is needed.
Note depending on the client's circumstances, the period the Emergency Benefit is paid for may vary.
Example 1
Emine is an asylum seeker from Turkey. She has applied for refugee status and a decision on her application is due in 3 months. Emine is granted Emergency Benefit with a condition of grant that it will only be paid for a specific period. An expiry is added to her Emergency Benefit for 3 months' time. This is when she expects to have an outcome from her refugee status application.
Example 2
Max is a sixteen-year-old student who is getting Student Allowance. He needs benefit assistance during the Christmas break and doesn't qualify for Jobseeker Support. Max is granted Emergency Benefit and one of his conditions of grant is that it will only be paid for a specific period. An expiry is added for 8 weeks' time as this is when the Christmas break ends, and Max will start getting Student Allowance again.
Example 3
Kahurangi is married with a 12-year-old son. Her husband gets New Zealand Superannuation but Kahurangi doesn't qualify because she is under 65. She also doesn't qualify for Jobseeker Support because she is the principal caregiver of their son and can't meet the work obligations. Kahurangi is granted Emergency Benefit and one of her conditions of grant is that it will only be paid for a specific period. An expiry is added for her son's 14th birthday as this is when she should qualify for Jobseeker Support.
Change in circumstances
If a client advises of a change in their circumstances, you must review their eligibility to Emergency Benefit. You should also review their conditions of grant to make sure they are relevant to their circumstances.
End of specific period
When Emergency Benefit expires because it was granted for a specific period, you must assess the client's circumstances to see what assistance they are eligible for. The client may be eligible for another benefit or continue to be eligible for Emergency Benefit for the same or a different reason. If the client is eligible for another benefit, they must be transferred unless it is in the client's best interests to continue getting Emergency Benefit.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Emergency benefit discretionary grant on ground of hardship section 63 Social Security Act 2018
