Those needing budget advice services will now be helped through the Salvation Army.
Ministry of Social Development announced the new provider following uncertainty of who was going to provide budgeting services in Mid Canterbury and Selwyn as the contract with Ashburton Budget Advisory Service ceased on June 30.
The service was among providers around New Zealand advised by the ministry their contracts were not being renewed.
Safe strong families and communities acting general manager Karin Dalgleish has advised the Salvation Army has been selected for the Mid Canterbury region covering Ashburton and Selwyn. The service will employ two full-time staff members.
For a number of years the Ashburton Budget Advisory Service under Presbyterian Support has employed 2.5 staff to provide services across both areas.
The ministry is currently finalising the contract and expect it to be signed in coming days.
‘‘Once the service is up and running clients will be able to be referred to the service,’’ Dalgleish said.
‘‘This is the first re-contracting of our building financial capability core services since 2016 and the scale of this procurement means it is a complex transition, we are working to make the change as smooth as possible.’’
