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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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Minister for Social Development, Paula Bennett has pledged $2.5 Million for trauma counselling to support Canterbury's shaken and quake weary residents.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says more than two thousand people have called the 0800 779997 Government helpline so far.