Winter Assistance Grant – Up to $400 per household to assist with electricity bills

The aim of this grant is to assist vulnerable households who are living in homes significantly damaged by the earthquakes, or who have had to move into damp or hard to heat accommodation. The significant damage must include serious compromise to the heating and/or insulation of the home. This grant assists households with their electricity bills over the months of June, July, August and September 2012.

This grant is for up to $400 in total and will be made up of four monthly payments of $100 which will be paid directly to electricity retailer outlined on the application form should you meet the criteria.

A vulnerable person can be defined as the applicant or a member of their household, who must either be disabled, have a pre-existing medical condition, be 65 years or over or have children who live with them who are under 18 years.

It is applicant’s responsibility to provide proof that the insulation of their residence has been significantly compromised and damaged.

Please attach proof of any of the examples below:

  • insurance company assessment/report
  • EQC full assessment report
  • Structural engineer’s or builder’s report
  • Quote for significant repairs

Please provide proof that you or a member of your household is vulnerable by attaching relevant documentation for one of the three categories below:

If you are aged 65 years or over, please provide a copy of one of the following:

  • super gold card OR
  • birth certificate OR
  • valid passport OR
  • driving licence card with picture, DoB and signature

If you have a child or children aged under 18 years living at your damaged residential address, please provide a copy of one of the following:

  • Plunket book for any children under five years – the front page of the book or whichever page has the sticker with barcode on it, which also contains health number, dob, full name and address at birth OR
  • birth certificate OR
  • valid passport OR
  • driving licence card with picture, DoB and signature

If you or a member of your household is disabled or has a pre-existing medical condition, examples of which may include:

  • copy of a current High User Health Card OR
  • recent letter from your GP regarding your disability or pre-existing medical condition OR
  • discharge letter from hospital regarding your admittance within the last year

In order for us to process this grant, you MUST provide an electricity power bill for the property where you reside dated 1 February 2012 onwards. Note: If you are a Prepay customer, then please provide a transaction history which states your name and address.

If the power bill you have provided is not in your name or is posted to another address, then you must provide ONE of the following to prove that you live at this residential address, dated 1 February 2012 onwards:

  • a telephone account OR
  • a bank statement OR
  • a rates bill

Electronic copies (including scanned versions) of documents must be clearly legible and show your name and other relevant information.

Download the Grant Application Form [PDF]

Call the Red Cross Grant helpline for more information on this and other grants available – 0800 754 726

Read about how to apply for a Red Cross Grant.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions about Red Cross Grants

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