PHOTO: ODT FILESThe squeeze is set to go on Dunedin’s social agencies as they brace for a major increase in demand for support. Both the Salvation Army and Presbyterian Support Otago are expecting demand to rise significantly as several government support schemes, such as the Covid-19 wage subsidy and Winter Energy Payment, end. Presbyterian Support Otago acting social work supervisor Pania Tulia said more people had already started seeking help over the past couple of weeks. There were also people who had been made redundant but were ineligible for Work and Income support because their partner’s income still put them over the threshold. Salvation Army Dunedin community ministries manager David McKenzie was also expecting the end of some government support to increase demand.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 16, 2020 16:30 UTC