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Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett have announced that temporary accommodation assistance is available for Cantabrians in the residential red zone.

From today Temporary Accommodation Assistance (TAA) will be available for Christchurch residents who own homes within the residential red zone.

“This will help earthquake-affected residents who’ve had to move out of their own home and have extra accommodation costs to cover,” says Mr Brownlee.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

Government support for Cantabrian workers has now topped $200 million says Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett.

“That support helped employees remain connected to their workplace and gave employers the breathing space needed to get back on their feet.”

The Government announced a support package days after February’s quake.

The first round of the Employer Support Subsidy went to 8,000 employers
for 47,000 employees.  It also supported nearly 11,000 sole traders.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

Budget 2011 provides an extra $10 million to support Cantabrians rebuilding their lives and communities after the earthquake, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

“This funding will go to local agencies to support Canterbury families as they deal with the impact of the earthquake and move forward.”

The cash injection will support counselling services, assist non-government organisations’ case management, co-ordinate services for families and support additional community-based services for those affected by the earthquakes.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery
  • Budget 2011

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced extended support for employees who have lost their jobs due to the earthquake.

The current Job Loss Cover for displaced employees will be extended by two weeks to April 18 then replaced with an Individual Support Payment.

“People who lost their jobs and have no option to stay with their original employer will get support as they look for alternative work,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

A second round of assistance will support viable Christchurch businesses and help individuals who have lost jobs as a result of the earthquake.

“This second phase is designed to help employers transition into longer term solutions,” says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

The current Earthquake Support Subsidy (ESS) to help employers keep paying wages, will be extended for two weeks to 18 April, followed by a further six-week round with tighter criteria.

The next round will be available to employers who:

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

There will be eight new Christchurch Recovery Assistance Centres in the hardest hit areas of Christchurch, six of which will open tomorrow says Social Development Minster Paula Bennett.

“These Centres will provide a range of services to people in localised areas in Christchurch, particularly the Eastern Suburbs,” says Ms Bennett.

"Welfare Centres are closing down so that for example Burnside High School can get back to being a school, " says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

Over 8,500 applications have been made for earthquake support assistance covering more than 20,000 people says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“Most applications are straight forward and over 14,000 people have already been approved,” says Ms Bennett.

“Some are taking a little longer because they require manual data matching with IRD or have exceptional circumstances that need to be considered,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

The Government is assisting more than 10,000 people through its support package for Christchurch says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

"Since announcing the package yesterday, applications have been flooding in from employers and workers who are relieved support is now available to help get them through the next few weeks,” says Ms Bennett.

Earthquake Support Subsidy
• 1,718 employers covering 8,271 staff
• 1,516 sole traders

Job Loss Cover:
• 788 individual employees

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

The initial earthquake support package for employers and employees is available now and the first payments will be in bank accounts by Wednesday says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“There is a lot of uncertainty over whether jobs and businesses will continue in Christchurch, so this measure will help ensure people can pay the bills for the next few weeks,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

Work and Income has seven mobile vans going directly to people in the hardest hit suburbs of Christchurch says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“These vans allow Work and Income to provide help directly to people in the suburbs, who may not be able to access transport,” says Ms Bennett.

”Social workers will join Work and Income staff in the vans to provide advice and support as well as financial assistance,” says Ms Bennett.

Seven Work and Income sites are now open at locations around the city.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

Emergency Payments to Cantabrians affected by the earthquake have topped one million dollars says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

So far, 6,267 Civil Defence payments totalling $1,024,202 have been made.

“The greatest need at the moment is for food, followed by clothing and bedding, it’s those basic human needs for food, warmth and shelter that we’re trying to meet,” says Ms Bennett.

About 55% of payments have been for food, 26% clothing and 11% for bedding. The average payment has been around $165.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

As at 10am, 4,000 people affected by the Christchurch earthquake have received financial assistance says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

In the last three days around $700,000 has been paid out in Civil Defence payments for essential items such as food, clothing and bedding.

“Christchurch people in genuine need, regardless of income, should call the Government helpline to access these payments” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

A volunteer army of Christchurch students is stepping up to help people in Christchurch and we’re backing them with funding says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“Just as they did after last September’s earthquake, students led by Sam Johnson are swinging into action and it’s truly humbling to see,” says Paula Bennett.

Funding of $20,000 has been approved for the student clean up.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

Almost one thousand people affected by the earthquake have accessed financial assistance in Christchurch says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“Work and Income is making emergency assistance a priority to ensure help gets to those in need as quickly as possible,” says Ms Bennett.

So far more than $163,000 has been paid out in Civil Emergency Grants which are available to anyone in genuine need, they are not income tested.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

Work and Income staff continue to make contact with elderly people living alone in Christchurch and in some cases it’s proving vital says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

So far 10,234 calls have been made and 3,311 people have answered those calls.

“We’ve needed to send emergency help and home visits to a small number of people, though most are actually coping very well,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

One of our priorities is checking on the elderly, disabled and vulnerable Cantabrians who may be alone and distressed says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

So far 5,333 calls have been made and of those, Work and Income staff have managed to get hold of 1,344 people.

“Because we just can’t get around the city physically yet, phoning those who are vulnerable in the first instance is a matter of urgency,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

The welfare centre in Hagley park will close this evening says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“The welfare centre at Burnside High remains open, with the new addition of Cowles Stadium which is open now and Pioneer Stadium which will be open from 6 o’clock this evening,” says Ms Bennett.

With rain forecast over the next few days, the decision has been made to move everyone from Hagley Park to the other, more suitable buildings.

“People are being shifted by bus out of Hagley Park to other welfare centres,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

New Zealanders are showing incredible generosity towards the people of Christchurch says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“Many ordinary New Zealanders are also offering to help with accommodation and other support which is much appreciated,” says Ms Bennett.

“Growers from around the country are offering fresh food donations, church groups are donating goods to those in need and Food and Grocery Council members are also working to get donated food to the people of Christchurch,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

There are two extra welfare centres operating to help people in need within Christchurch says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Welfare centres are in operation at Cowles Stadium (170 Pages Road, Aranui) and Burnside High School (151 Greers Road) and by 6pm another will open at Pioneer Stadium, (75 Lyttelton Street, Spreydon).

Hagley Park welfare centre is now full and people are being asked to go to the other three centres if needed.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

Assistance for Cantabrians is available now and all possible help will be offered to those in need says Social Development Minister.

“The situation is changing, but currently there are two welfare centres which are operating, at Hagley Park and at Burnside High School,” says Ms Bennett.

“More welfare centres will open as soon as buildings are declared safe to use,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery

The people of Canterbury have shown remarkable resilience as they get on with the business of rebuilding says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is impressed with the effort made by Work and Income staff since the earthquake and has received substantial support for the checks that were made on the e

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

Support schemes are assisting Canterbury individuals, employers and community providers affected by the earthquake, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Earthquake Recovery

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced a special $7.5 million Community Response Fund for social service providers in Canterbury.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs
  • Earthquake Recovery