You will need to complete an application form. Please phone or email us to request a form or click here to download one. The application form needs to be completed by a budget advisor/financial mentor (a list is on the back page of the application form).
Contact the budget advisor/financial mentor for an appointment and they will complete the form, possibly make a recommendation on payments and write-offs, and submit the application to the Trust
Alternatively, you can pick up a form from your local Budget advisor/financial mentor, Work & Income office or Citizens Advice Bureau.
A budget advisor/financial mentor can assist with more than just writing up a budget. They can also assist with:
- Accessing rent/mortgage grants through Work & Income
- Checking Work & Income entitlements
- Accessing one off power grants
- Accessing Kiwisaver through Hardship
- Reducing debt repayments
What happens after I submit my application?
Step Two:
If you are eligible, Watercare will temporarily put your account on hold from its credit management processes until a decision is made by the Trust regarding your application. This means you will not have any debt collection procedures applied in the meantime, including water restrictions.
Step Three:
The Trust will assess your application at its monthly meeting.
Depending on your circumstances, it may:
- approve a payment arrangement based on your monthly invoices, and may also
- approve a write-off of part or all of the amount owed to Watercare
OR
- decline your application.
Step Four:
The Trust will inform you, the budget advisor/financial mentor and Watercare of its decision
Step Five:
The Trust will support you through the payment plan and check that payments meet the invoices.
If the payment plan is not adhered to the application may be closed and the arrangement terminated.
An application can be submitted only once in an 18-month period.
How long does the process take?
The process usually takes three to six weeks. This depends on the:
- application being filled out correctly
- timing of receipt of the application
- timing of the meeting of the Trust