Media Release

Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Commission Announces New Grants

New Zealand Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Commission has announced two new types of grants for people affected by the 4 September quake.

Financial support for small business grants are for people who have suffered a significant reduction in household income due to the forced closure of a small business. One-off grants of up to $2,000 will be made to people who meet conditions including having a small business that is no longer viable because of the disaster.

Relocation grants are for people who have to move from their homes while repairs to their houses or land are made, or are already in temporary accommodation because their home is uninhabitable and they are waiting for repairs. Owners or tenants can apply for grants of up to $2,750 by showing they need to stay in alternative accommodation.

Commission Chairman Sir John Hansen said, “Since the earthquake, we have been listening to the needs of Cantabrians affected by the quake. We know there are a lot of people with small businesses who are suffering. We also know that many households will have to relocate during reconstruction, and in most cases the costs will not be fully covered by insurance. The financial support and relocation grants are designed to ease those burdens.”

It is expected the financial support and relocation grants together will use up the remaining donated funds based on figures released by EQC last week.

People who have received emergency, damaged homes or hardship grants and meet the criteria may apply for the new grants. Applications for Hardship Grants closed on 4 December.

Full details of all the grants are available at www.redcross.org.nz or by phoning 0800 754 726

The latest figures show a total of 10,500 grant applications have been received, with a response time of three to four weeks. About $11 million is expected to be paid out in grants already accepted or being processed. Over $21million has been received in donations from the government, business and people across New Zealand.

Applications for these new grants are now open but will not be processed until after 20 January 2011.

ENDS

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