localmatters.co.nz August 13, 2014
Homebuilders
Quentin Jukes, Homebuilders Co-ordinator www.homebuildersfs.org
The costs of keeping warm As we get into the teeth of winter there is nothing like the cheer of a toasting hot fire or basking in a warm room while the rain teems down outside. Regrettably, for many people on a low income or a benefit, heating has become a luxury. We regularly meet people at Homebuilders who face the choice between providing even limited heating for their home and putting food on the table for their children. This situation is often exacerbated by people on lower incomes only being able to afford housing which is un-insulated and often with issues around drafts, mould and damp. This can often mean that people in the coldest houses and on the lowest incomes face the highest heating costs. Lamentably, we often come across people living in substandard, unhealthy houses, still having to pay very high rent. Copious research shows a strong connection between ill health and living in a cold damp environment. This is especially the case for babies, young children, the elderly or those already unwell – but research shows that even for healthy adults living in a cold damp home makes them more susceptible to a wide range of chronic health problems. For people in low paid work or on a benefit, including those on National Super, there can be some limited financial assistance available with heating costs. In some situations, if a fire is a person’s only form of heating, there assistance is available in the form of a small loan from Work and Income to purchase firewood or buy a heater, if the home has no heating system at all. For a person not on a benefit, but on a low wage, this payment is called a Recoverable Assistance payment. For a person on a benefit, including people on National Super, this is called an Advance Payment. To receive either of these payments there is an income and asset test – you have to have a very low income with little, if any savings. For people with an ongoing health problem, such as asthma or arthritis, extra assistance can be in the form of a small weekly payment called a Disability Allowance. This payment is made to help cover the extra heating costs related to the illness. The Work and Income policy states the allowance is for the costs over and above the normal power consumption of similar-sized households in the area, at the same time of the year. As with Advance payments and Recoverable Assistance payments, there is a range of criteria that needs to be met. If you would like to know more about what support may be available to help keep you and your family warm and healthy this winter, we encourage you to either call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 or contact us at Homebuilders on 425 7048.
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Phone Vince on 425 5150 or 0274 725 928 336D Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach (rear of Snells Beach Physio - carpark available)
FREE IPL
Book a Medical Grade IPL/Laser treatment for your face ($495) in August and receive the same treatment for your hands or neck valued at $250. Sally Wilson 09 425 8127 0274 977 745
Kathy Carter-Lee 09 425 6749 021 425 115
Call us today: 09 426 0400
Sue Wynyard 09 425 8912 0274 934 491
Lydia Miller 09 425 7555 027 555 1629
Silverdale: 12 Silverdale Street, Silverdale Warkworth: Unit 3, Warkworth Medical Centre Cnr Alnwick & Percy Streets
Nicky Snedden 09 425 8249 021 662 393
Rebecca Hay 09 425 9805 027 453 6992
Photo, left-right, Sally Wilson, Sue Wynyard, Kathy Carter-Lee, Lydia Miller, Rebecca Hay, Louise McLaughlin, and Nicky Snedden.
Contact one of the midwives or the Warkworth Birthing Centre
Offer valid until 31 August 2014. Conditions apply.
Skin cancer | Veins | Appearance
Louise McLaughlin 09 422 3750 027 242 8830
www.skininstitute.co.nz
09 425 8201 • www.warkworthbirthcentre.co.nz
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Our ur experienced midwives will care for you from conception to 6 weeks after the birth of your baby. We work from Whangaparaoa to Maungaturoto Coast to Coast.
IPL/Laser treatments can dramatically reduce the signs of aging as well as treating rosacea, pigmentation and sun damage. However, not all IPL treatments are equal. Make sure you always opt for medical grade IPL from the trained specialists at the Skin Institute.
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Mahurangi Matters