Ongoing demand for recovery fund 'well-exceeded' Government funding available for Hawke’s Bay, says Chamber
Ongoing demand for the Cyclone & Flood Recovery Fund grants has well-exceeded Government funding available for Hawke’s Bay, the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce says.
Applications closed on April 3. Of the 1,738 applications received, 710 have been approved.
Napier had the highest percentage of total applications at 52 per cent, followed by Hastings at 34 per cent. Five per cent of applications were from Wairoa, and five per cent were from Central Hawke's Bay.
In a statement, the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce said applications received prior to the closure date will continue to be assessed according to our usual process of prioritising significantly impacted businesses.
"We are processing them as quickly as we can. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in due course. Businesses that have already received support through this grant are not eligible to apply again."
If more funding is secured, the Chamber says they will resume processing applications and distributing funding.
Applications are pre-screened to verify details upon receipt, prioritised based on information submitted, and reviewed by an independent Assessment Panel that confirms the allocation.
Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce is managing this fund to support as many businesses as possible and those in most need.
In addition, the Ministry of Social Development is moving to support people through its regular payments and supports as the Cyclone Gabrielle response transitions into the recovery phase.
This means Civil Defence Payments and the Cyclone Flood 0800 line will be ending at 1pm on Saturday, April 15.
MSD’s East Coast Regional Commissioner Karen Bartlett says Civil Defence Payments were designed to support people in affected regions during the response stage of an emergency event like Cyclone Gabrielle.
"As we’ve moved from the response phase into recovery in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, there continues to be other ways we can help people."
Civil Defence payments have been available for two months. In that time, approximately $30 million has been paid to help support more than 43,000 people in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.
Nationally, $65.4m worth of Civil Defence Payments been paid out to 111,843 people affected by the cyclones and flooding that battered the country earlier this year.
"Making sure people and communities get the support available to them in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle is a top priority," Ms Bartlett says.
"Hardship payments, employment support, and financial assistance are all available."
"Each person’s situation is different, and we really want to talk to people so we can understand their situation, and if we can assist."
People in need can contact MSD on 0800 559 009, or by visiting their local service centre.
