Family finances are unlikely to improve even if paid employment continues to be possible. At times, even the healthiest dialysis or transplant patient can have periods of illness that interfere with income and career, not just for the patient but often for the healthy partner as well.
Help is often needed sorting out income support and housing issues, not just once but repeatedly as your condition changes. The kidney Society provides information, advice and help in dealing with these problems.
“It is such a relief to have someone help me sort my benefit application out. It is very scary when you don’t know where to start.”
Contact our Kidney Society social workers for information.
Help in other languages
Government departments and some other organisations offer telephone interpreters for people who need a little help in their own language.
Language Line is a telephone interpreting service which offers clients of the participating agencies free interpreting in 39 different languages.
Income Support (WINZ)
Everybody’s situation is different. WINZ offers a range of assistance to support you and your family when you need it. Click here to see what help you may be able to get from WINZ, or contact your local WINZ office. You can also contact our staff who can help you with income support applications and information.
Staff at WINZ speak other languages. You can call their free 0800 Multiligual Lines and speak to someone in one of ten languages.
Housing NZ
Housing New Zealand provides New Zealanders with access to good quality, affordable homes. It is also the New Zealand government’s main advisor on housing, and services related to housing. Click here for their website. Or, you can contact our staff who can give you information and help with applications etc.
Disablity Support Services
Disability support service is a term describing the range of day to day supports funded to assist people to live in their community. Support can include working with a person to develop or maintain their skills or supporting a person with the activities they are unable to do. Supports include things like help in the home, personal assistance, information, and support to live independently. Some support is also designed to assist family/whanau such as carer support. Disability Support Services are funded by Disability Services, a part of Health and Disability National Services of the Ministry of Health. Click here for support services available in Auckland and Northland.
Assistance towards travelling costs - when can I claim?
The National Travel Assistance Scheme
For people on haemodialysis travelling to a dialysis unit 3 times a week, it means you qualify no matter where you live. Check it out, or ask your social worker or dialysis unit nurse to register. For other people, check your entitlement on the National Travel Assistance website.
Boolets, leaflets and other information
