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Car repairs
If your car needs to be fixed, we may be able to help.
You'll have to pay the money back - we can help you with a repayment plan.
You may get help if you:
- are 16 or over (if you're 16-18 and have a Youth Service provider, contact Youth Services)
- are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here
- have an immediate or essential need
- need the car for you, your partner or children
- need the car because of either:
- a health condition
- disability
- employment
- lack of access to public transport
- or your partner own the car.
It also depends on:
- how much you and your partner earn
-
any money or assets you and your partner have.
Your income will be assessed either weekly or yearly, depending on the kind of help you qualify for. These income and asset limits apply:
Income limits
| If you are: | Weekly income before tax is less than |
|---|---|
| Single, 16-17 years | $825.30 |
| Single, 18+ years | $948.50 |
| Couple (with or without children) | $1,377.69 |
| Sole parent (1 child) | $1,150.97 |
| Sole parent (2+ children) | $1,212.61 |
Asset limits
These don't include what you need for day-to-day living, for example your home, car, and some payments after a severe weather event. They do include money in the bank, or things like a caravan or a second property.
| If you are: | Your assets are worth less than |
|---|---|
| single | $1,338.90 |
| couple (with or without children) or sole parent | $2,230.96 |
Generally we can pay up to $400 to help with some car repairs.
We don't usually pay for
Standard car costs, eg:
- fuel
- warrant of fitness
- car insurance
- car registration
- regular servicing costs.
Call us on 0800 88 99 00
We're open:
- Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, and
- Saturdays, 8am to 1pm.
We'll process the application over the phone and let you know if it's approved.
You'll have to provide a quote to show how much the car repairs will cost. We'll let you know the best way to get this to us.
You may also have to provide other things like a bank statement or payslip. We'll let you know if you need to do this.
If your application's approved, we'll load the money onto a payment card (much like an Eftpos card).
If you don't already have one, you'll need to visit a service centre to get it.
You have 21 days to spend the money before it expires.