BAIS

15/12/2024

BAIS will be closed from Friday, December 20th, and reopen on Monday, January 6th. The BAIS team extends its warmest wishes for a peaceful and joyous holiday season. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to serving you in the new year.

30/10/2024

BAIS extends its sincere gratitude to The St Joans Trust, proudly managed by Perpetual Guardian, for your generous financial contribution.

In light of the current financial challenges facing New Zealand, the services provided by BAIS are more critical than ever. Without the support of organisations like The St Joans Trust, BAIS, along with many others, would face the difficult reality of closure due to insufficient funding.

Once again, thank you to The St Joans Trust and Perpetual Guardian for your invaluable support.

09/10/2024

Please remember that you can no longer use the last four digits with your payments card. You need to set up a pin.

The below post gives instructions on how to action this.

From 23 September, MSD payment cards need a personalised PIN set on them before they can be used in shops that accept them.

If you have a payment card, it’s a good idea to get this done now so your card is ready if you need it. From 23 September, you must set a PIN before you can use your card.

Only certain kinds of assistance are paid onto payment cards for clients to use. These are usually one-off payments for urgent or unexpected costs. Setting a personalised PIN keeps your card and money safer.

It’s easiest to set your PIN online:
• log into MyMSD or MyStudyLink
• go to ‘My payment cards’.

You can reset your PIN in the same way if you forget it. If you lock your card by entering the wrong PIN into an EFTPOS machine too many times, you can unlock it by resetting your PIN. Otherwise, you can wait until the next day to try again.

Find out more on the Work and Income or StudyLink websites:
• https://workandincome.govt.nz/paymentcard
• https://www.studylink.govt.nz/about-studylink/services/payment-cards/index.html

30/09/2024

A HUGE thank you to Pub Charity Limited for their incredible generosity! Your continued support is making a real difference in our community. Thanks to your help, we're able to keep our doors open and provide essential services to those who need it most. We couldn't do it without you!

24/09/2024

Please remember that payments will slightly decrease shortly because of the Winter Energy Payment stopping.

Remember the Winter Energy Payment ends on 1 October 2024. This happens every year at this time.

If you're worried how you'll manage without it, we may be able to help you in other ways.

• Use our online eligibility tool to check what you might be able to get: bit.ly/35Sgwff

• Find advice to help manage your money: bit.ly/32ZM1C4

• Contact us: bit.ly/2WkPpUH

If you qualify for the Winter Energy Payment next year, you'll get it automatically from 1 May until 1 October 2025.

Find more information on our website: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/winter-energy-payment.html

23/09/2024

BAIS would like to thank Foundation North for their continued support of our service. Without their support and support from others, BAIS would no longer be able to provide the service we do.

11/09/2024

If you have an MSD payment card, you’ll need to set your own PIN by 23 September to use it. It’s a good idea to get this done now so your card is ready if you need it.

Setting a personalised PIN keeps your card and money safer.

It’s easiest to set your PIN online:
• log into MyMSD
• go to ‘My payment cards’

You can reset your PIN in the same way if you forget it. If you lock your card by entering the wrong PIN too many times, you can reset it or wait until the next day to try again.

Find out more – https://workandincome.govt.nz/paymentcard

07/07/2024

From the bottom of our hearts, BAIS thanks the Catholic Caring Foundation for their incredible generosity. Their financial support is essential in allowing us to keep our doors open and serve thousands of people every year. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership.

26/06/2024

The maximum amount you can pay back to Work and Income per week is $40.00.

If you have debt repayments paid to Work and Income over $40.00 per week, you can ask to have this reduced.

23/06/2024

Did you know that BAIS has an office at the
Glenfield Community Centre?

If you would like to meet with one of our advocates
and discuss your situation, please contact 09-444-9543
to make an appointment.

02/05/2024

The Winter Energy Payment starts today and is paid through until 1 October 2024.

It’s to help with the cost of heating your home over the winter months.

You don't need to apply – if you’re on a main benefit or getting NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension, you’ll get the Winter Energy Payment automatically along with your other regular payments from us.

This year, the payment rates are:
$20.46 a week for singles, and
$31.82 a week for couples, or people with dependent children.

If you're getting Foster Care Allowance, please get in touch. We may be able to pay you at a higher rate.

If you get paid weekly, your first payment will be a part payment in the week of 6 May. You'll get the full amount in the week of 13 May.

If you get paid NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, your first payment will be a part payment on 7 May. You'll get the full amount on 21 May.

For more information visit https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/winter-energy-payment.html

18/04/2024

Here's what you need to know about our services over Anzac Day 👉 https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/news/2024/anzac-day-payments.html

🔹 If you're normally paid on Thursday 25 April, you'll be paid early on Wednesday 24 April.

🔹 Our contact centres, offices and Service Express will be closed on Thursday 25 April.

📱 To access our online services, please visit 👉 bit.ly/2RndR57

02/04/2024

From 1 September 2024, the NZ Living Wage hourly rate is $27.80.
Read more about the new Living Wage here: https://ow.ly/sW7B50R5pii

30/03/2024

From the bottom of our hearts, BAIS extends its deepest thanks to The New Zealand Lotteries Foundation. Their investment has been instrumental in keeping our doors open. Thanks to their support, we can continue making a real difference in our community and positively impact the lives of many families.

13/03/2024

Good news! Starting April 1st, 2024, benefit rates and some financial assistance will be going up thanks to the Annual General Adjustment.

For more details about the specific rate changes, you can visit the Work and Income website.

On 1 April 2024 benefit rates will increase due to the Annual General Adjustment. Income and asset limits for some support will also go up, which means more people can get support from us.

07/03/2024

For over three decades, BAIS has been a guiding light for low- and middle-income individuals across New Zealand. We stand firm in our mission: ensuring equitable access to vital information, unwavering support, and powerful advocacy for all who need it.

This vital work wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and trusts (Lion Foundation, Lotteries, BlueSky Community Trust, Lister Presbyterian Health Trust, Pub Charities, Foundation North, The Retirement Commissioner, The Estate of Ernest Hyam Davis & The Ted and Molly Carr Endowment, The Ministry of Social Development and our generous anonymous donors). We extend our sincere gratitude to them.

Our team of experienced advocates, many with first hand knowledge of Work and Income, simplifies complex systems and empowers individuals to understand and claim their full entitlements. We stand by them, ensuring they receive the support they deserve.

If you live in the North Shore or Rodney District and need help navigating complex systems or feel unheard, please contact BAIS at 09-444-9543. We're here for you.

09/01/2024

We're back and ready to empower! BAIS is thrilled to open our doors for 2024, energized to support individuals and families facing financial hardship, navigating complex systems, or struggling with entitlements. Whether you need expert advocacy to secure rightful benefits, guidance through Work and Income, or simply someone to stand in your corner, we're here. You can contact us on www.bais.org.nz/contact. Let's build a brighter future, together!