The WINZ process feels intimidating when you’re looking at it from the outside. Most people aren’t sure if they qualify, what paperwork they need, or how to get the right kind of quote.
We handle WINZ quotes for senior moves and benefit recipients in Christchurch every week. We know what Work and Income looks for, what format they need, and what supporting docs make an application more likely to succeed. The quote side is completely free and you only pay if WINZ approves the move and you book us. If you want a free WINZ formatted quote, give us a call and we’ll sort it out.
Here’s how the WINZ moving assistance process actually works.
What WINZ actually covers
WINZ may help with moving costs as a one off payment under a few different categories. Recoverable assistance is a loan you pay back over time, usually deducted from your benefit or pension. A hardship grant is a non recoverable payment for emergency situations that you don’t pay back. And a special needs grant covers specific essential needs including moving costs in some cases.
The category depends on your situation, income, assets, and the reason for the move. WINZ decides which one applies after they assess your application, so you don’t choose it yourself.
Who’s eligible
You may be eligible if you receive a Work and Income benefit or NZ Super, have a low income with savings under the relevant threshold, have a genuine reason for the move, and are a New Zealand citizen or have eligible residency status.
Common qualifying reasons include moving to a safer home (escaping a violent situation or unsafe living arrangement), health reasons (can no longer manage stairs or need to be near medical care), loss of accommodation (eviction, tenancy ending, or family member can no longer house you), moving to take up a job, moving into a retirement village or smaller home to manage costs, and moving closer to family who provide care. WINZ assesses each case individually and there’s no automatic approval even if you fit a category.
The WINZ quote process step by step
The process has a specific order. Skip a step and the application gets delayed.
Step 1: Talk to WINZ first
Before getting quotes, contact Work and Income, tell them you’re moving, and ask whether you might qualify for moving assistance. They’ll tell you what they need. You can do this by phone, online through MyMSD, or in person at your local Christchurch Work and Income office.
Step 2: Get the quotes
WINZ usually requires two or three written quotes from moving companies because they want to see you’re not overpaying. The quotes need to be written not verbal, itemised so WINZ sees what they’re covering, from legitimate registered moving businesses, and reasonably current usually within the last 30 days. We provide WINZ formatted quotes for free with everything WINZ wants to see in the layout they expect.
Step 3: Submit your application
Take the quotes to Work and Income with your supporting documents. They’ll assess and decide. Supporting documents usually include photo ID, proof of income (latest benefit or NZ Super statement), proof of address (current and new), a letter from a doctor if the move is health related, a letter from your landlord if the move is forced, and any tenancy paperwork for the new place.
Step 4: Wait for the decision
Decisions usually take one to four weeks. Urgent cases like eviction or unsafe housing can be faster. WINZ will tell you in writing whether you’ve been approved, how much they’ll cover, and how to claim it.
Step 5: The move happens
Once approved, WINZ either pays the moving company directly or reimburses you after the move. They’ll tell you which method applies to your situation.
What WINZ won’t cover
A few common things WINZ generally doesn’t cover. The full cost of luxury or premium moving services, storage beyond a short emergency period, moves between houses you both own, moves for purely lifestyle reasons without a real need, moves where you have savings or assets that could cover it, and the cost of new furniture or appliances at the new home.
This isn’t WINZ being mean, it’s the rules they’re bound by.
How to write a strong application
Three things make WINZ applications more likely to succeed. Be specific about the reason for the move. “I need to move because the stairs are too much” is weak. “My GP has confirmed I can no longer safely manage stairs due to severe osteoarthritis, and my current home has no ground floor bathroom or bedroom” is strong.
Include supporting evidence like letters from doctors, landlords, Police (if leaving a violent situation), or community support workers because these carry real weight in the assessment. And get the quotes right because quotes that are vague, missing GST, or from unregistered movers can delay or block an application entirely.
Common reasons WINZ declines
If your application is declined it’s usually one of these reasons. Not enough evidence of the reason for the move, income or assets too high for the category applied for, quotes weren’t itemised or were too high, the move isn’t deemed essential by the case manager, or missing paperwork. You can appeal a decline. Ask the case manager what went wrong, fix it, and resubmit. Many appeals succeed second time around.
When to start the WINZ process
Start early. Two months before your move date is comfortable, one month is tight but possible, and two weeks is too late for most cases. The quote part is fast as we usually turn quotes around in 24 to 48 hours. The WINZ assessment is the slow part.
If your move is urgent like an eviction or safety situation, tell WINZ that. They can fast track in genuine emergencies.
What’s in a proper WINZ quote
A WINZ ready quote from us includes pickup and delivery addresses in full, date range for the move, itemised breakdown of services (truck, crew hours, packing if applicable), all fees clearly listed, GST shown separately, our NZBN and contact details, and the whole thing on letterhead so it’s clearly from a registered business. We send it as a PDF ready to print or email to your case manager.
No charge for the quote and no obligation. If WINZ approves and you choose us, we proceed. If not, no harm done.
Common WINZ situations we handle in Christchurch
A few examples of WINZ supported moves we see often in Christchurch.
Senior moves to retirement villages are common. NZ Super recipients moving from a family home to a retirement village apartment for health or affordability reasons get approved often when properly documented. Our senior moving service handles the move itself with extra care.
Moving out of unsafe housing covers tenants in cold, damp, or unsafe Christchurch rentals, sometimes earthquake damaged homes that weren’t properly repaired. Strong medical evidence and a clear new address are key for approval.
Family breakdown or relocation covers single parents, family violence situations, or people moving in or out of family shared housing. WINZ often supports these when safety is the issue. Moving for a new job is sometimes covered if you have a written job offer and the move is necessary to take it.
Other support to know about in Christchurch
WINZ isn’t the only option in Christchurch. A few other resources worth knowing about.
Age Concern Canterbury offers advice and sometimes practical support for senior moves. The Christchurch City Mission helps with crisis situations including emergency housing. Community Law Canterbury provides free legal advice if your move involves a tenancy dispute. And the Salvation Army sometimes assists with emergency situations and referrals.
We work alongside several of these organisations regularly. Tell us your situation and we can point you towards the right one if WINZ isn’t the right fit.
Ready to get a WINZ quote
If you’re moving in Christchurch and think WINZ might help, contact us for a free WINZ ready quote. We’ll handle our part properly so you can focus on the move itself. You can also read what previous customers say about working with us.
Testimonials
Feedback from our customers
They are so fast to reply and very good with timing. They moved all my normal house furnitures but also very big plants and wood panels etc. From Richmond to the country side.
They are super polite and efficient.
Highly recommend them
They have a high quality of:
- genuine quality work ethic (very difficult to find in NZ),
- punctuality,
- responsive communication in scheduling, billing,
- seriously amazing driving skills backing into a tight city townhome driveway
- and professionalism in getting the job done with care and quality.
There were no scratches, carpets were clean, no dings in the walls despite the house being of a mini doll house size. All of our items we moved were also in good condition / undamaged.
Jas is definitely wired to get things done properly. It will take him a long way in life. Thank you Jas and Manee. It was a pleasure working with the both of you.
Thanks Jas
We had a niggly move, from a 3 bedroom place in Ashburton, into a two bedroom apartment in central Christchurch with some tricky access and stair work (sorry crew) but they knocked it out in good time, at a good price, and with good care - 10/10 will be using them again next time we move.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for WINZ moving assistance?
Call Work and Income or check MyMSD. They’ll assess your eligibility based on your income, situation, and reason for the move. The first call is free and there’s no obligation.
How long does WINZ take to approve a moving quote?
Usually one to four weeks for standard cases. Urgent situations like eviction or safety can be faster. Start the process at least a month before your move date if possible.
Do I need multiple quotes for WINZ?
Usually yes. WINZ typically asks for two or three written quotes from different movers because they want to make sure they’re paying a reasonable market rate.
Does WINZ pay the mover directly?
Sometimes yes, sometimes they reimburse you after the move. Your case manager will tell you which method applies to your situation.
What if WINZ declines my application?
You can appeal. Find out why it was declined, gather any extra evidence needed like medical letters, eviction notices, or more quotes, and resubmit. Many declined applications succeed on appeal.
Will the move happen before WINZ approves?
Only if you can pay yourself and claim reimbursement, or if WINZ approves urgent assistance fast enough. Most people wait for approval before booking the actual move date.
Do you charge for a WINZ quote?
No. The quote is free with no obligation. If WINZ approves it and you choose us, we proceed. If not, no harm done.
Can I use a WINZ quote for inter island moves?
Yes. Our inter island and intercity moving service can be quoted in WINZ format too. The process is the same, just with a higher quote amount because of the longer distance.