C.04.02.R1 Steps to Freedom Criteria (National Requirement)

Steps to Freedom Criteria

1. In order for a person to qualify for a special needs New Zealand Income Support Service grant, they must meet the general provisions of the Special Needs Grant programme, which includes an assets and income test, and they must have permanent residence in New Zealand and be intending to remain in New Zealand.
2. Clause 9.4 of the Ministerial Directive issued pursuant to section 124 (1) (d) of the Social Security Act 1964, by the Minister of Social Welfare on 18 December 1992 states:
   
   "9.4.1 The Director General may grant to a person who has been imprisoned for 31 days or more on his or her release into the community, a non-recoverable special needs grant of $350.00, less any amount held by the prison on that person's behalf, including any amount held in the prisoner's trust account, canteen account or earnings account."
   
   
3. Any person in custody for 31 days or more (both sentenced and remand) is to have a completed Steps to Freedom form (No.1) provided by prison authorities for them to present to the local WINZ office to confirm their eligibility for the special needs grant.
4. Any sentenced prisoners who at the time of their release have served less than 31 days in prison is to have a completed Steps to Freedom (No.2) form provided by prison authorities for them to present to the local WINZ office to confirm their eligibility for the special needs grant.