New Zealand - Apply for Food Allowance

Advertisement

Procedure

Apply Online

1. Here are the procedures on how you can apply to receive allowance to buy food from the government of New Zealand. Applications can be submitted online through MyMSD. MyMSD is the Ministry of Social Development's online service where you can apply for various financial assistance and manage your information online. Note: You may only apply through MyMSD if you are a current client. If you are a new client or unable to use MyMSD, you’ll need to give the Ministry a call (contact information below). They will discuss with you how you can apply for the allowance and what else they can help you with.
2. In case you've been instructed to create a MyMSD Account, here's how you can create one.
   1. To create an account you will need to enter your client number (this is a 9 digit number MSD issued you the first time you transact with them, eg: 000-000-000) and the email address or mobile phone number you registered with MSD.
      • In case you don't have a client number, or can't remember it, you can request one by completing an online form. MSD will email or text you within 1-2 working days. Request a client number.
      • In case that you have not registered email address or phone number with MSD, you can give them a call on 0800 559 009. Say "client number" when asked why you're calling. Then leave your contact phone number and email address where MSD can reach you.
   2. When you are ready to create your MyMSD account click this LINK.
   3. Click on 'Register for MyMSD'.
   4. Enter your client number and date of birth.
   5. Agree to the MyMSD terms of use and privacy policy and select 'Next'.
   6. Enter the 6 digit code sent to your mobile phone or email address, and select 'Next'.
   7. Create a 4 digit PIN.
3. Now that you have registered an account, log in to MyMSD.
4. Complete the online form.
5. Read and agree to the obligations stated on the form.
6. Upload your documents (see list below). MyMSD will let you know how you can do this and what type of documents you can upload.
7. Once you are done, submit your application.
8. MSD will review your application and if it is approved, they will give you a payment card (if you don’t already have one) and load the money onto it. They will reach out to you and discuss how they can get the card to you.

Advertisement

Required Documents

You need to provide proof of your last pay and all income you've gotten from any source in the last 52 weeks, eg:

• work
• regular insurance payments, eg ACC
• investments
• interest
• business
• private pensions
• rent or boarders.

You may submit your:

• payslips
• a print out of your earnings for the last 12 months from Inland Revenue
• bank statements
• a letter from your employer(s).

Other documents you may need to present

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Social Development

General Enquiries
Phone: 0800 559 009
Calling from Australia: 1800 150 479
Monday to Friday - 7am and 6pm
Saturday - 8am and 1pm

MyMSD Helpline
Phone: 0800 559 009
Monday to Friday, between 8am and 5pm.
Say "online help" when you call.

Find a Service Centre
Other contact numbers

Eligibility

The Government of New Zealand offers financial aid to low income earners to help them pay for food. Applicants don't have to be on a benefit to qualify for this help.

If you find yourself in a situation where the money you set aside to buy food was spent paying for essential costs like:

• doctors visits
• dental treatment
• clothing for a job interview
• school clothes or materials for your child.

Or, situation where you have less income this week because:

• you’ve been off work due to sickness but you’re not eligible for sick pay
• your hours are reduced unexpectedly.

You might be eligible to receipt food allowance. Applicants for this type of financial aid must be:

• 16 or over (if you're 16-19 and have a Youth Service provider, contact Youth Services)
• New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• Living in New Zealand and has intention to stay in the country
• Urgently in need of money to buy food
• Have no other way to pay for food (eg, no money in the bank and no assets).

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites. 	
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

The Ministry of Social Development is the one in charge of processing applications for food allowance and other financial aid extended by the government to it's citizens and permanent residents.

The amount you will get as food allowance will depend on your income and your situation. It will also depend on how much your partner earns.

Your income will be assessed either weekly or yearly, depending on the financial aid you qualify for. :

• Weekly income before tax is less than:
  • Single, 16-17 years: $508.54
  • Single, 18+ years: $584.46
  • Married, civil union or de facto couple (with or without children): $848.92
  • Sole parent (1 child): $709.22
  • Sole parent (2+ children): $747.20
• Annual income before tax is less than
  • Single, 16-17 years: $26,444.08
  • Single, 18+ years: $30,391.92
  • Married, civil union or de facto couple (with or without children): $44,143.84
  • Sole parent (1 child): $36,879.44
  • Sole parent (2+ children): $38,854.40

Applications can be submitted online through MyMSD. MyMSD is the Ministry's online service where you can apply for various financial assistance and manage your information online.

If your application is approved, they will give you a payment card (if you don’t already have one) and load the money onto it. You have 7 days to spend the money before it expires.

Required Information

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or Country of Birth.

Need for the Document

Please provide the need for the procedure. e.g. Birth Certificate - why do we need to have a birth certificate? 
 

Information which might help

A payment card is like an Eftpos card and you can use it at any supermarket or store that accepts them. Find out where you can use the payment card

To check how much you have left on your payment card and when it expires you can login to your MyMSD account.

You can only use the money for food and essential grocery items, eg toiletries. You can’t get other things, eg, alcohol, cigarettes, gift cards, vouchers, etc.

Once you've used your payment card, keep it. You can use it again if you need help from the Ministry in the future.

Recipients of food allowances don't have to pay the money back.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Ministry of Social Development

Others

More information which might help people.