Nearly 40,000 Civil Defence payments have been made to those affected by the Christchurch earthquake, including more than 1300 to people who have relocated to the Southern region.
Figures released yesterday show more than $6.25 million in Civil Defence payments has been made since last Tuesday's earthquake, Work and Income national commissioner Liz Jones said.
The average level of the payments, which are designed for essential needs such as food, clothing, petrol and accommodation, is about $162.
Since the quake, 1377 people have visited Work and Income centres in the Southern area and received a Civil Defence payment, including 514 in Timaru, 351 in the two Dunedin offices, 200 in Invercargill and 125 in Oamaru.
"People affected by the quake are continuing to arrive at our Work and Income offices in the Southern region and are welcome to keep doing so.
"We are helping them with emergency assistance such as food and clothing and we can also help with accommodation and counselling," Ms Jones said.
She reassured those who received benefits that they would continue to be paid. However, Work and Income was encouraging beneficiaries to tell them if they had changed circumstances from the quake.
Work and Income was operating eight centres in Canterbury. Two hundred and forty-one staff had been brought in from outside the region.
In addition to its temporary welfare centres, Work and Income had introduced a mobile service, with seven vans going to the hardest-hit suburbs "to make sure they're getting the support they need".
Businesses were also requiring support and more than 20,000 people (employers and employees) had been paid from the Earthquake Support Subsidy, with just under $30 million distributed since Monday.
People wanting assistance can call the Government help line (0800 779-997), visit www.workandincome.govt.nz, or visit a Work and Income office.
The numbers:
Work and Income Southern area service centres which have made Civil Defence payments to those affected by the Christchurch earthquake.
• Alexandra - 48
• Balclutha - 9
• Dunedin Central - 227
• Gore - 31
• Invercargill - 200
• Mosgiel - 45
• Oamaru1 - 25
• Queenstown - 54
• South Dunedin - 124
• Timaru - 514
