Wellness Fund
Financial Assistance for people living with HIV in New Zealand
Despite substantial improvements made over the last decade in the treatment of HIV, people in New Zealand living with the virus continue to face significant and diverse challenges in maintaining their health and wellbeing.
The Wellness Fund offers direct financial assistance to HIV positive people who live in New Zealand where alternative sources of assistance are unavailable.
Where does the money come from?
The Wellness Fund is maintained entirely through donations and bequests from the community.
As the funding available at any one time will vary, depending on donations versus numbers of applications, you may find that approval of your application might be delayed until such time as funding is available to meet your request.
As the funding available at any one time will vary, depending on donations versus numbers of applications, you may find that approval of your application might be delayed until such time as funding is available to meet your request.
Who can apply?
Any person who has a confirmed positive diagnosis for HIV/AIDS and is on a low or limited income with a valid Community Services Card (issued by Work and Income New Zealand) may apply for assistance - in accordance with the criteria below.
The Fund is currently limited to a maximum of $300 per person per year and covers health related costs associated with with HIV/AIDS. For those living in the Wellington Region, extra assistance above the $300 limit may be available - more details
The Fund is currently limited to a maximum of $300 per person per year and covers health related costs associated with with HIV/AIDS. For those living in the Wellington Region, extra assistance above the $300 limit may be available - more details
The Wellness Fund is administered by Body Positive Inc. on behalf of the of the National Collective of People Living with HIV
Current criteria for Wellness Fund Applications:
The current criteria for Wellness Fund Applications are:
- Applicant must be a New Zealand Resident/Citizen currently living in New Zealand with HIV/AIDS
- Applicant must have a current and valid Community Services Card (issued by Work and Income New Zealand)
Applications must be for one of the following reasons:
- HIV Health Related Medical Expense
- Urgent Dental Attention
- Hepatitis Inoculation
- Baby Formula
- Travel/Registration Costs to attend a HIV Meeting or Hui (within New Zealand)
An application outside this criteria may be considered under exceptional circumstances, but will be referred to the National Collective of People Living with HIV for approval.
IMPORTANT: The Wellness Fund WILL NOT cover any retrospective payments, i.e. it will not cover any payment or service where a payment has already been made. As such, grants will only be made payable to the organisation or company providing the service required and never to an individual.
IMPORTANT: The Wellness Fund WILL NOT cover any retrospective payments, i.e. it will not cover any payment or service where a payment has already been made. As such, grants will only be made payable to the organisation or company providing the service required and never to an individual.
Additional assistance for those living with HIV in the Wellington Region
In 2022 the Wellington Gay Welfare Group which managed The Peter Cuthbert Fund winded up its operations and very kindly transferred the remainder of the Peter Cuthbert Fund to the New Zealand Wellness Fund, to provide additional support for people living with HIV in the Wellington Region.
People living with HIV in the Wellington Region, who meet the Wellness Fund criteria as detailed above, can now apply for grants above the standard $300 annual limit. Each application in this category will be assessed on a case by case basis.
People living with HIV in the Wellington Region, who meet the Wellness Fund criteria as detailed above, can now apply for grants above the standard $300 annual limit. Each application in this category will be assessed on a case by case basis.
How to apply for assistance?
Applications can be made with the assistance and support of your local HIV Peer Support Organisation - Body Positive Inc or Positive Women Inc, or through your regional Burnett Foundation Aotearoa office in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
Alternatively, applications can also be made directly by completing a Wellness Fund Application Form and forwarding it along with all relevant supporting material for the application to:
Body Positive Inc.
Att: Wellness Fund,
PO Box 68-766,
Newton,
Auckland 1145
If you do not have access to a printer to print the downloadable application form, please contact us so we can post one to you.
Alternatively, applications can also be made directly by completing a Wellness Fund Application Form and forwarding it along with all relevant supporting material for the application to:
Body Positive Inc.
Att: Wellness Fund,
PO Box 68-766,
Newton,
Auckland 1145
If you do not have access to a printer to print the downloadable application form, please contact us so we can post one to you.
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