Earthquake Government Helpline – 0800 77 999 7
04 September 2010.
An earthquake government helpline is up and running this evening with a 0800 phone number to provide information on government services for people affected by the Christchurch earthquake,” said Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett.
The Ministry of Social Development's Work and Income Service is coordinating the helpline which will provide people affected by the earthquake with a single point of contact for information on government services.
People requiring information on income support, housing options, health issues, community assistance, Civil Defence or any other government service can call the Earthquake Government Helpline on 0800 77 999 7 (0800, double seven, triple nine, seven).
The 0800 information line will operate daily between 7am and 10pm. People will be provided with information and contact information for the services they require.
The phone service complements the Civil Defence welfare centres that have been set up in Christchurch.
"Government agencies will work closely together and will monitor the issues raised by earthquake-affected people. The initial focus will be on ensuring peoples' immediate needs are being met.
"A good deal of infrastructure in Christchurch has been affected and that is having a massive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of New Zealanders. As we are fully able to assess the impact of the disaster, government services will further evolve to respond to peoples' needs as these are identified," said Paula Bennett.
