Tēnā koe Alex Harris

Thank you for your email received 25 May 2016, under the Official Information Act 1982. Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate officials at National office to respond. You may expect a response to be sent to you as soon as possible.
 
Nā mātou noa, nā

Official and Parliamentary Information team   |  Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministry of Social Development

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to help themselves to be safe, strong and independent
Ko ta mātou he whakamana tangata kia tū haumaru, kia tū kaha, kia tū motuhake

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Dear Alex,

 

On 25 May 2016 you emailed the Ministry requesting, under the Official
Information Act 1982, information regarding the relocation from Auckland
policy.

Work and Income are offering to help eligible people with a one-off
payment of up to $5,000 to relocate from Auckland from 20 June 2016. To be
eligible, people will need to be living in Auckland and either a current
tenant of or eligible for social housing. This is a voluntary scheme and
aims to provide practical assistance to enable people to expand their
employment and housing options.

It is estimated that the funding will support 150 individuals and families
to relocate. As part of this initiative, Work and Income will work closely
with people to make sure this is the right move, taking into consideration
their family and community support, and employment options in the new
region.

If people return to the social housing register in the Auckland region
within a 52-week period without exceptional circumstances, or if they use
the payment for purposes other than those intended, they may be required
to pay the grant back. Exceptional circumstances will be determined on a
case by case basis. This could include having to return to care for an ill
family member.

It is pertinent to note that this is not a mandatory scheme and people
will need to be willing and able to move to another part of the country.
As with most other Work and Income assistance, this will be income and
asset tested. If people are in receipt of a benefit, they will have to
meet any obligations they may have, including any job search obligations.
Work and Income will work with people before they move to ensure they can
still meet their obligations.

Your request is refused under section 18(d) of the Official Information
Act on the basis that the information requested will soon be publicly
available. This information will be published on the Ministry’s website in
due course.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review of my response by
the Ombudsman, whose address for contact purposes is:

The Ombudsman

Office of the Ombudsman

PO Box 10-152

Wellington 6143

Yours sincerely

 

Ministerial & Executive Services Advisor

Official & Parliamentary Information | Ministry of Social Development | Te
Manatu Whakahiato Ora

8th Floor | Bowen State Building | PO Box 1556

Wellington | New Zealand

 

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are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or
duplication of this email and attachments is prohibited. If you have
received this email in error please notify the author immediately and
erase all copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of Social
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-------------------------------

Hi Alex,

We are anticipating that the information will be available by 27 July 2016. As this is a new programme certain aspects are as still being actively considered which is why the information is not yet publically available.

Kind Regards

Ministerial & Executive Services Advisor
Official & Parliamentary Information | Ministry of Social Development | Te Manatu Whakahiato Ora
8th Floor | Bowen State Building | PO Box 1556 |
Wellington | New Zealand

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