$27m COVID-19 boost for select essential social services
In response to COVID-19, the Government is making sure essential social services continue to support communities during COVID-19 Alert Level 4.
$27m package for select essential social services
The Government announced $27 million new funding on 26 March 2020 so select essential social services can keep delivering for communities through COVID-19.
This additional funding is targeted to individuals and groups where risks are known to be higher as a result of COVID-19. It is specifically for essential services that:
- Make sure people have access to the food and other goods they need
- Provide a place for people to live
- Support disabled people to maintain critical wellbeing
- Keep families safe from harm and offer crisis support
More information about the new funding and how it’s being used:
- Up to $16 million to bolster essential services for at risk groups: so they keep supporting at-risk individuals, families, whānau and communities and can respond to increased demand (this includes for family and sexual violence services).
- Up to $6 million for disability providers: so disabled people stay supported during the lockdown and periods of self-isolation, limiting the impacts of anxiety and loneliness.
- Up to $4.8 million for community grants: so innovative, community-led solutions support local resilience.
