Dear Ministry of Social Development,

I am requesting information in regards to law surrounding what is required for a sng to be granted.
Specifically,

1. Is a case manager able to decline a request if client doesn't show a full bank statement?

2. What happens if a case manager isn't available to assist in the event of an immediate or essential need? Eg. It is the weekend or they are unwell and not working, is there flexibility for the call centre to help?

3. Are sngs granted under a particular set of rules and how are these rules applied ? Eg. Are all msd staff trained to the same level so as to eliminate discrimination?

4. What is a case managers responsibility to a client when providing information about sngs?

5. Does a clients debt balance make it less likely for a client to receive extra help?

Yours faithfully,
Petra O'Rourke