Support availability for the holiday period
During the Christmas shut-down period some support services will still be available if required. The following is from the CERA web site, and a list of support services is available here.
Canterbury Support Line
The Canterbury Support Line for services such as counselling, accommodation assistance, financial assistance, legal services or health services will be available to callers over the Christmas period from 8.30am to 11.00pm seven days a week on 0800 777 846.
Temporary Accommodation
The Temporary Accommodation Service will be available on normal working days throughout the Christmas and New Year period. Their contact number is 0800 673 227. For accommodation assistance on other days people can go to www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz or call 0800 777 846.
Government Helpline
The 0800 Government Helpline (0800 77 99 97) is closed on the statutory holidays. The normal operating hours are 7.00am to 6.00pm weekdays, and 8.00am to 1.00pm Saturday.
Housing New Zealand
Housing New Zealand is continuing to work with its tenants in the red zone to make their eventual shift to other accommodation as smooth as possible.
Over the Christmas/New year period the Corporation’s Contact Centre 0800 801 601 will be open 24/7 for any urgent inquiries. The Papanui Neighbourhood Unit at 6 Restell St and Linwood Community Link at 154 Aldwins Rd will also be open everyday except for the statutory holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and January 2 and 3).
Anyone who would like their eligibility for state housing assessed is welcome to contact Housing New Zealand at any time.
Earthquake Assistance Centres
The Earthquake Assistance Centre at the Avondale Golf Club on the Corner of Breezes and Wainoni Roads will close at Midday on 23 December 2011 and reopen at 10am on 4 January 2012.
The Kaiapoi Earthquake Hub at 11 Cass Street will close at 5pm on 22 December 2011 and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 4 January 2012.
Work and Income
Work and Income are open every day, except the statutory days, over Christmas and New Year.
Work and Income and Community Link service centres are open for business from Monday to Friday 8:30am–5pm, Wednesday 9:30am–5pm. To find the office nearest to you visit www.workandincome.govt.nz
You don’t need to be on a benefit to get help from Work and Income. If you’re not sure what you may be eligible for please visit www.workandincome.govt.nz or phone 0800 559 009 or visit a service centre.
Specialist mental health services.
In a psychiatric emergency call Psychiatric Emergency Services on 03 364 0482 or 0800 920 092. In all other emergencies call 111.
