civil defence payments

assistance for people affected by a civil defence emergency

Information about assistance available for people affected by a Civil Defence emergency and the processes to follow.

civil defence payments

Civil Defence Payments are available to meet the immediate needs of people who are affected by a civil defence emergency.

Civil Defence assistance payments can cover the following costs:

  • emergency food, clothing and bedding if it has been damaged or destroyed by the event
  • costs if they have to leave their home
  • loss of income because they can't work due to the event
  • a payment if they have evacuees staying with them in places such as a private home, marae or community centres.

Civil Defence emergency assistance does not have to be repaid, is not income and asset tested and, MSD does not take into account any other special needs grant assistance that has been paid to the applicant over the last 52 weeks.

Learn more

what you need to do

Step one – confirm that the young person has been affected by the Civil Defence emergency and their identity

More information on this here: civil defence payment application process | Map

Step two – complete the application form

civil defence payments to evacuees application form (print version) | Work and Income

civil defence payments to evacuees application (editable version) | Youth Service providers

For payments involving young people staying in temporary accommodation, the host will need to complete this form: adverse event payments to hosts for accommodation | Work and Income 

Step three – submit the ART task

Task category: Hardship Assistance, Task Type: Civil Defence Payment.

Note: if ART is unavailable, you can send the application via email to YSSU. If internet is unavailable you can call YSSU.