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You might qualify for | Ongoing assistance

Emergency Maintenance Allowance

Emergency Maintenance Allowance is assistance that may be paid to sole parents who do not qualify for any other payments.

  • We need more information because:

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

    • We don't know if you are 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 Maintenance Allowance

    How to apply for Emergency Maintenance Allowance

    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.