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April 2012

Civil Defence payments

These payments are to meet the immediate needs of people who are affected by the Civil Defence Emergency. Civil Defence payments can cover the following costs:

• payments to hosts for billeting evacuees (private homes, marae or community centres)
• accommodation costs for evacuees in tourist accommodation (motels, hotels or temporary rental accommodation)
• if you have a work permit or are a student working part time, you may be eligible for loss of livelihood (where evacuees cannot work and lose income due to the emergency, eg if you can’t get to work, your workplace is closed or you need to remain with your family/whanau)
• food, clothing and bedding (immediate needs up to a maximum amount).

If you are unsure whether the costs or your immediate needs will be covered by insurance, an initial payment to meet your immediate needs may be made.

Note: should your insurance subsequently cover any payments made by the Civil Defence payment, you will be required to refund the amount paid.

Rates of payment

Payments are available depending on individual circumstances and are detailed on the attached page. The following payment arrangements apply:

• payments for people billeting evacuees and for evacuees in tourist accommodation are to be made directly to the accommodation provider
• payments for loss of livelihood are to be made to the applicant
• payments for food, clothing and bedding should generally be made to the supplier, however, as this is an exceptional circumstance payment can be made directly to you.

No stand-down period applies to payments for loss of livelihood. Payments can commence from the day following the date payment of wages or salary stopped.

Contacting us

You can contact us if you:

• would like assistance
• aren’t sure if you can get assistance
• are struggling to support yourself or your family
• would like more information

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