Kapiti benefit information and advocacy service to launch Monday 6 July

Sue from Waikanae

Hutt Valley Education Benefit Services Trust (HV BEST) is pleased to announce the launch of its Kapiti service (Kapiti BEST) on Monday 6 July. Based at CABK Coastlands Offices, this long awaited service will provide the Kapiti community up to date information and advocacy on the benefits and grants paid by Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ), says HV BEST Manager Teresa Homan.

CABK will initially operate monthly clinics on the first Monday of each month, but anticipates this will quickly increase to fortnightly as awareness of the service grows. Kapiti BEST advocates are community based, professional, competent trained volunteers operating within the organisation’s Code of Ethics. They will provide advocacy with WINZ if needed. All information is treated in the strictest confidence and our clients are treated with dignity and respect and empowered to make their own decisions.

Kapiti’s diverse demographic, with its high percentage of elderly, low/fixed incomes, chronic health conditions/high health service users and young families comprises a large number reliant on government support. This number is expected to grow as the economic impacts of COVID 19 are felt throughout the community. Many find navigating the WINZ process challenging and accessing the supportive, empathetic knowledgeable guidance provided by our advocates can help ease what is often an already stressful time.

Kapiti BEST is grateful for the collaboration and support of the CABK Board and acknowledges and thanks Sandra Forsyth for her efforts in establishing the Kapiti service.

For further information or to make an appointment please call CABK Offices on 04 298 4944 or visit the CABK bureau on the first floor in Coastlands Shoppingtown.