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You might qualify for | Ongoing assistance

Emergency Benefit

Emergency Benefit is assistance that may be paid to people who cannot support themselves and who do not qualify for any other payments.

  • We need more information because:

    • We don't know if your circumstances qualify for Emergency Benefit

    • We don't know if you are not a sole parent of children under 14

  • However you do meet these requirements:

    • You are not eligible to receive a main benefit from Work and Income

    • Emergency Benefit

    How to apply for Emergency Benefit

    Please contact us for more information and to discuss how we can help.

    Call Work and Income

    Ph 0800 559 009

    Mon-Fri 7am - 6pm
    Sat, 8am – 1pm

    If calling from overseas,
    call +64 9 913 0300

    Senior services

    Ph 0800 552 002 if you are over 65.

    Mon-Fri, 7am – 6pm

    Deaf, hearing or speech impaired

    If you're deaf, hearing-impaired or find it hard to communicate by phone, you can contact us on:

    Deaf Link free-fax 0800 621 621

    Text 029 286 7170

    Email msd_deaf_services@msd.govt.nz

    If you can apply online for more than one service, you only need to fill out the form once.