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‘‘Payment’’ means a recoverable assistance payment under this programme.

3.2— Where in this programme (other than in any heading) a word begins with a capital letter, or the words of a phrase begin with capital letters, that word or phrase—

(a) if defined in clause 3.1, has the meaning set out in that clause; and

(b) if defined in section 3 (1) of the Act, has the meaning set out in that section.

4. Application of the Social Security Act 1964

4.1 Sections 3, 12, 63, 63A, 64, 66A, 71, 74, 74A, 76, 77, 78, 80A, 81, 86, and 86A to 86J of the Act are to apply, with any necessary modifications, to this programme as if a Payment under this programme were a Benefit.

5. Principles

5.1 In considering any application for a payment under Part 3—

(a) the Chief Executive must consider—

(i) whether a payment would best meet the particular immediate need of the Applicant;

(ii) the Applicant’s ability to meet that need from his or her own resources;

(iii) the assistance that is or might be available to the Applicant from other sources to meet that need;

(iv) the existing debt level of the Applicant from all sources;

(v) the effect on the applicant or his or her Immediate Family (if any) if that need is not met; and

(vi) when that effect might be expected to impact on that or those persons; and

(b) the Chief Executive may consider the extent to which the Applicant has caused or contributed to the Particular Immediate Need or to the situation that has given rise to the Particular Immediate Need.

Part 2

Universal Entrance Criteria

6. Residence

6.1 The Applicant must be ordinarily resident in New Zealand.

7. Income Limits

7.1 An applicant may not be granted a Payment if his or her income is such that it would prevent payment of an Invalid’s Benefit.

7.2 In clause 7.1, an Applicant’s Income includes the income of—

(a) his or her spouse (if any); or

(b) if the Applicant is a Child, his or her parent.

8. Cash Asset Limits

8.1 An Applicant may not be granted a Payment if his or her Cash Assets exceed the appropriate limits in clause 8.3.

8.2 An Applicant’s Cash Assets include the Cash Assets of his or her parent if the Applicant is a Child.

8.3 The Cash Assets limits referred to in clause 8.1 are—

(a) in the case of an unmarried person, a value equivalent to 4 times the maximum weekly rate of an Invalid’s Benefit for an unmarried person without a Dependent Child; and

(b) in the case of a married person or a Sole Parent, a value equivalent to 4 times the maximum weekly rate of an Invalid’s Benefit for a married couple without a Dependent Child.

9. Restrictions on Payments

9.1 Any Payment is to be the least amount required to meet the Particular Immediate Need of the Applicant up to a maximum of $200 unless a higher maximum is stated.

9.2 Except where the Chief Executive considers exceptional circumstances exist, a Payment must not exceed the lesser of—

(a) the equivalent of 6 weeks of the maximum rate of an Invalid’s Benefit the Applicant and his or her Spouse (if any) would be entitled to receive if the Applicant were entitled to that Benefit; or

(b) any maximum amount stated in the clause under which the Payment is granted.

9.3 The maximum available Payment for any item under this programme must be reduced by the Applicant’s Departmental Debt Balance unless the Chief Executive considers exceptional circumstances exist.

9.4 In determining whether exceptional circumstances exist, the Chief Executive must have regard to—

(a) the Applicant’s ability to repay;

(b) whether the Applicant could reasonably have been expected to make provision for the Particular Immediate Need;

(c) the extent to which not granting a Payment would—

(i) worsen the Applicant’s position; or

(ii) increase or create any risk to the life or welfare of the Applicant, the Applicant’s Spouse, or any Dependent Child; or

(iii) cause serious hardship to the Applicant, the Applicant’s Spouse, or any Dependent Child; and

(d) any other matters relevant to the circumstances of the particular case.

Part 3

Essential Needs

10 Need to be both Immediate and Essential

10.1 Payments under this Part may be granted only for a particular need which is immediate and essential.

11. Payments for Essential Needs

11.1 Dentures, Spectacles etc., and Hearing Aids

11.1.1 The Chief Executive may grant a Payment of up to $1,000 to an Applicant towards the cost of dentures, spectacles, or contact lens, or a hearing aid.

11.1.2 A Payment under clause 11.1.1 may be granted only in respect of that part of the fees or charges the Applicant is required to pay, after the deduction of—

(a) any subsidy or payment to which the Applicant may be entitled, including subsidies or payments—

(i) available to a holder of a community services card;

(ii) made available under the Health and Disability Services Act 1993;

(iii) provided by a health agency;

(b) any Health Or Disability Payment to which the Applicant is entitled; and

(c) any disability allowance paid under section 69C of the Act in respect of the disability that led to the need for that item.

11.1.3 A payment must not be granted for medical, health, and disability related costs if a Health Agency provides, without cost to the Applicant, goods or services which meet the need.

11.1.4 If an Applicant receives any health or Disability