When ill or injured you and your immediate family are entitled to a home visit from a welfare representative and a gift voucher.

Eligibility

This benefit is available to a member, member’s spouse, or dependent child who through sickness or accident, are in hospital for a stay of at least 24 hours or at home recovering for a period of at least 7 days. Recovering at home does not mean self-isolating at home.

Continuity

This benefit is available for a maximum of 10 fortnightly visits (permission to extend may be given by the Office Manager or Regional Representative), during any one period of illness or injury. The first hospital/home visit may take the form of a gift basket or voucher. Gifts may be purchased by the Station Representative.

The benefit is limited to a maximum amount of $150. Under no circumstances can vouchers or gift baskets be substituted for cash.

Hospital/Home Visits

The maximum amount allowed for visits shall be as follows:

• Child $100
• Member, members spouse $150

Note: receipts must be provided for any purchase and accompany claim forms.

When you and your immediate family require mobility assistance, you can claim up to $300 per annum.

Eligibility

This benefit is payable to assist in the costs of mobility aids required for members, member’s spouse or dependent child prior to attaining the age of 19 years.

Amount

The total amount that can be claimed in one year by the member is limited to $300.

Claiming

All claims must be made using the BA1 form with receipts attached.

Your family can claim up to $500.00 per year on Ambulance Transport.

Eligibility

This benefit is available to a member, member’s spouse or dependent child who is required to pay for the cost of emergency ambulance transportation including air transport within New Zealand.

Amount

The benefit is limited to a maximum accumulated value of $500.00 per member’s family per year. The year commences from the date of the first claim.

Claiming

The member shall provide a duly completed BA1 benefit claim form and an invoice and/or receipt from the provider of the transport within 90 days of receipt of such invoice from the provider.

During a hospital stay of more than 24 hours we can cover the cost of a rental TV.

Eligibility

This facility is available to a member, member’s spouse or dependent child who is in hospital for a period of at least 24 hours.

Amount

The Society will pay for the supply and installation of the television set and the daily rental fee.

Claiming

The member shall make arrangements for hiring a television set through the normal hospital booking agency. The member will claim back costs by providing receipts with a BA1 form.

NB: This benefit is only provided where:

• The rental of television sets to patients is an accepted policy of the hospitals administration.
• The person in charge of the patient has given approval.
• The hiring of television sets is a normal facility within the hospital.

Your family can claim up to $200 per year on Hospital Parking.

Eligibility

This benefit may be claimed by a member or a member’s spouse/partner for parking costs while visiting a spouse/partner or dependent in hospital.

Continuity

The total amount that can be claimed in any one year by the member is limited to $200 with the year commencing from the date of the first claim.

Amount

The benefit is for $200 per year.

Claiming

All claims are made using the BA1 claim form with receipts as proof of parking.

During an overnight hospital stay you or your family member is entitled to a gift basket.

Eligibility

This benefit is available to a member, member’s spouse, or dependent child, which a Regional Representative, Station Representative, Membership Coordinator or Office Manager believe would be eligible for reasons of hardship, misfortune or in a time of need or comfort.

Amount

The benefit is limited to a maximum amount. Under no circumstances is the benefit to be paid in cash. The NZFFWS Representative shall use their judgment regarding the particular purchase.

Interpretation

Gift basket/voucher – General Benefit

The maximum amount allowed for visits shall be as follows

• Child $100.00
• Member, members spouse $150.00

Note: receipts must be provided for any purchase and accompany claim forms.

If you need to travel over 100km (round trip) for medical appointments, you are entitled to 30¢ per kilometre up to $500 per annum.

Eligibility

This benefit may be claimed to assist with travelling costs when the member, member’s spouse or their dependents are required to travel over 100km to attend out of town medical appointments. It is limited to referrals from a GP/Specialist.

Continuity

The total amount that can be claimed in any one year by the member is limited to $500.00.

Amount

The benefit is for .30 cents per km.

Claiming

All claims are made using the BA1 claim form with proof of appointment.

During financial hardship a discretionary loan may be granted.

Eligibility

A grant or loan may be made to any member of the NZFFWS in financial difficulties that the Office Manager in conjunction with the NZFFWS Board considers has been brought about by misfortunes. Junior members can only apply for a grant.

The grant or loan is made after a thorough investigation into the causes of the need to claim. All practical help will be given to the member prior to any financial assistance.

Amount

Under the Welfare Society’s Rules 4 (a) and 4 (b)(i), a discretionary grant or loan is limited to a maximum of $750.00.

Claiming

Upon a member approaching the Office or Regional Representative/Board Member regarding the submission of a claim, the Office or will endeavour to discuss, in some detail, the problems faced by the member.

The Office or Regional Representative/Board Member may, with the approval of the member enlist the assistance of other agencies specialising in fields where this is deemed advantageous. Where the Office or Regional Representative/Board Member has received sufficient details, they should ensure that:

• The benefit application form (BA1) is completed with bank account details and member’s signature.
• Forward this form to the Office Manager with any notes of discussions which have taken place with other agencies.

Loan Repayment

After a period that the Office Manager feels appropriate, they shall contact the member concerned and enquire if they are able to begin repaying the loan.

Your children can apply for our annual regional scholarship to help with educational costs.

Eligibility

This benefit will be available for financial members children aged 5 to 16 years. The intent is to support a family’s education costs.

Continuity

• Applicants to be aged 5-16 years at time of application.
• Only one application, per child that meets the criteria will be accepted.
• The successful recipient will be expected to use the money for education purposes. Education purposes may include stationery, uniform or fees.
• The recipients will be given the money in good faith. NZFFWS will not require receipts as to what the recipient has used the money for.

Amount

$500.00 per age group per region. Total of $1500.00 per region.

Age groups are:

• 5 to 8 years of age
• 9 to 12 years of age
• 13 to 16 years of age.

The amount will be paid to the recipient/s in a lump sum.

Process/claiming

Applications will open annually on the first Monday in October and close the second Monday in January at 5.00pm.

The winning applicant/s will be advised in January of their success. Money will be deposited into their chosen bank account. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised thereafter.

Completed application forms need to be accompanied with the following:

• Ages 5 to 8 will need to provide some form of artwork showing what they want to be when they leave school.
• Ages 9-12 need to complete a 200 word essay, who inspires them and what they wish to do when they leave school.
• Ages 13-16 need to complete a 400 word essay, who inspires them and what they would like to do when they leave school.

Applications open annually on the first Monday in October (and close at 5pm on the second Monday in January). Read more here.

Members can enjoy various discounts across a wide range of retailers.

Eligibility

This benefit is available to all financial members. Access is through the Welfare Society App.

Continuity

There is no limit as to how many times members can access the supplier on the App.

Amount

The Welfare Society doesn’t incur any costs from suppliers.

Claiming

To use any of the discounts, you must have the NZFFWS App on a supported device. Each supplier will have instructions on how to access their offer.

Interpretation

All discounts have been negotiated to provide benefits to our members.

For more information, click here.

Your family can claim assistance with the costs of adopting New Zealand children up to $250 per child.

Eligibility

This benefit is available to assist a member with the legal costs involved in the adoption of New Zealand children.

The benefit must be claimed within 12 months of the adoption process being completed. The benefit amount is capped to a maximum of $600 per year.

All claims are made using a BA1 form with a copy of receipts and invoices attached.

Your family can claim $120 on the birth of your child.

Eligibility

This benefit may be claimed by any member, on the birth of their child/children.

Amount

The benefit is for $120 per child. The benefit must be claimed within 12 months of the child’s birth.

Claiming

All claims are made using the BA1 form with a copy of the birth certificate or newspaper birth notice.

To assist with the purchase of first ever Corrective Lenses or contact lenses.

Eligibility

To assist with the purchase of first ever corrective lenses or contact lenses for a member, members spouse or dependent child (prior to the age of 19).

Amount

This benefit is for a maximum of $250.00 per claim this may include the cost of the eye examination. The total amount that can be claimed in any one year by any family is limited to $500.00.

Claiming

All claims are made by attaching receipts to a BA1 claim form.

Your family can claim up to ​$700 per year for Counselling.

Eligibility

This benefit is available to assist members requiring counselling. This benefit may be claimed for members, member’s spouse/partner and dependent children requiring counselling.

Amount

The total amount that can be claimed in one year by a member is limited to $700.

Claiming

All claims are made using the BA1 claim form with a copy of an invoice or receipts incurred attached.

Emergency funds available after a disaster, at the Board’s discretion.

The NZFFWS Board has set up a Disaster Fund as a benefit for members and their families. The benefit is available to members who have experienced a significant disaster as determined by the NZFFWS Board.

Any claim on this benefit will be at the discretion of the NZFFWS Board.

• The application must be made on a BA1 form.
• Forward to the Office Manager with any notes of discussions which have taken place with other agencies.

Decision

The decision of the NZFFWS Board regarding the payment or non-payment of such a claim and also whether it be in the way of a grant or loan shall be final. If the Board decides to offer a loan to the applicant, the term, and any other conditions may be imposed by the Board. There is no requirement that the member must accept the loan when offered.

Interpretation During the Event

A disaster is classed as a disaster event affecting two or more members.

A contribution during a time of loss to support your family. The funeral benefit is not payable once the beneficiary reaches the age of 65 and their dependent children reach the age of 19.

Eligibility

Payable in the event of the death of a member, spouse or dependent child.

Continuity

The benefit is payable to the member or in the event of the death of the member, the nominated beneficiary.

The benefit is for the following amounts:

• Death of a member $3,000.00
• Death of a member’s spouse $3,000.00
• Death of a dependent child $1,000.00

Claiming

When the NZFFWS Representative is made aware of a member becoming eligible, they shall immediately seek confirmation to that effect. After receiving confirmation, they shall contact the Office Manager or Membership Coordinator and relay the facts relating to the claim.

The NZFFWS Representative will prepare an application for benefit BA1 form on behalf of the member. The Office Manager/Membership Coordinator will upon receiving the information from the NZFFWS Representative arrange for payment at the appropriate rate to be made as soon as practicable.

If the member has not nominated a beneficiary or there is a dispute/confusion on the payee, the benefit will be forwarded to their estate.

Special Early Draw Provision

On the production of satisfactory evidence (in the opinion of the Welfare Board) 50% of the active members funeral assistance benefit may be advanced to a claimant if such person is suffering a terminal illness.

Interpretation

Death of an unborn child:

• In the event of the passing of an unborn child, the Welfare Society may consider meeting part of the service/burial/cremation costs as long as sufficient proof can be provided to the NZFFWS Representative that costs have been or will be incurred.
• Any payments so made shall not exceed $500 per event.
• Any such payment shall be classified as a funeral expenses benefit.

Your family can claim up to $900 for their first ever hearing aid.

Eligibility

This benefit is available to assist in the purchase of hearing aids for the member, member’s spouse, or their dependents. This benefit may be claimed for the purchase of the member, member’s spouse or dependents first-ever hearing aid. It does not cover batteries or repair costs.

Amount

The benefit is for a maximum of $900 per claim.

Claiming

All claims are made using the BA1 claim form with a copy of an invoice or the receipts attached.

When a member of your immediate family is incapacitated, you may claim up to $400 for domestic help around the house.

Eligibility

This benefit is available to assist members requiring home help. This benefit may be claimed where a member, a member’s spouse or their dependent is temporarily incapacitated, and domestic help is required.

Amount

The total amount that can be claimed in any one year by the member is limited to $400.

Claiming

All claims are made using the BA1 claim form with a copy of an invoice or receipts incurred attached.