13 September 2010

Media Release

Applications open for emergency grants

The New Zealand Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Commission will offer one-off Emergency Grants from Tuesday September 14 to people who are no longer able to live in their usual homes due to structural damage.

“Some people who have had to leave their homes as a result of the Canterbury earthquake may be eligible to apply for an Emergency Grant” says Michael McEvedy, former Mayor of Selwyn District Council and a member of the newly formed Commission.

In order to qualify, it is necessary that their former homes have either been issued a “red card” building inspection certificate from a Council appointed inspector, a “yellow card” that specifies the building cannot be lived in until repairs are made or that a structural engineer has conducted an inspection and concluded that it is unsafe to live in the premises. Those who have received grants from other similar funds will still be eligible, but at reduced amounts to ensure equality

Where a grant is awarded, the amounts will vary depending on how many people usually lived in the home at the time of the earthquake. In the case of a single person household, the amount would be $1,000. Households with two adults could receive $2,000 and those with more than two adults or with children under the age of 16 could receive $3,000.

“This is a first step towards meeting some of the immediate needs of those who have had to leave their homes. The Commission is giving consideration to other ways of supporting people and businesses in Canterbury”, says Michael McEvedy.

Grant applications can be made by completing a brief application form and emailing, posting or delivering it to New Zealand Red Cross.

Application forms and more information about the grants can be obtained from any Council service centre in the Canterbury region, Te Puni Kokiri, Income Support offices or by phoning the Government Helpline, or downloaded from the New Zealand Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.nz from Tuesday.

All grants will be subject to the availability of funding. To date the New Zealand Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Commission has received funds from the Government along with generous contributions from businesses and people across New Zealand.

Australian residents will also be able to contribute through Australian Red Cross, who has launched an appeal in support of Canterbury at www.redcross.org.au. The Australian Government has ruled all donations to assist people affected by the earthquake in Canterbury will now be tax deductible in Australia.

“The support for those who have been affected by the earthquake has been amazing”, says McEvedy, “however, the significant number of people affected by the earthquake and the extent of damage means that further funding is still needed”.

Donations to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal can be made by:

• Making a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.nz
• Calling 0900 33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation
• Vodafone FreeTxt: ‘Quake’ to 333 for a $3 donation, or ‘Quake’ to 555 for a $5 donation
• At any Post Shop Kiwibank, ANZ, National, ASB, TSB Bank and BNZ branches around New Zealand

ENDS