Amendment to Ministerial Direction for Advance Payment of Benefits Under Section 5 (2) of the Social Security Act 1964 Pursuant to section 5 (2) of the Social Security Act 1964, I, Peter John Gresham, Minister of Social Welfare, hereby approve the following amendment to the ministerial direction for advance payment of benefits approved by me on 6 October 1995, which are to be read together and deemed part of the ministerial direction with effect on and from 1 July 1996. Dated this 22nd day of July 1996. PETER J. GRESHAM, Minister of Social Welfare. Advance Payment of Benefit Amendment 1 Essential Home Repairs The following provision is to be inserted as clause 7 of the ministerial direction: ``7 Essential Home Repairs ``7.1 The Director-General may, subject to the provisions of this direction, make an advance to any beneficiary for the following purposes: ``(a) to carry out essential repairs and maintenance to the dwelling on, or to the paths, fences and retaining walls of, the property that is; or ``(b) to provide essential services such as sewerage, water or electricity connection. ``7.2 No advance under clause 7.1 shall be made unless: ``(a) the beneficiary provides proof of his or her ownership (or joint ownership) and occupation of the property to which the advance is to be applied; and ``(b) the work to be done is essential in order to maintain the property in a reasonable living standard; and ``(c) the beneficiary shows proof that he or she has unsuccessfully applied for financial assistance for the purpose from any other agencies that provide assistance to beneficiaries for such purposes. ``7.3 An advance under clause 7.1 is generally not to exceed an amount of $1,000, subject to clause 6 of this direction.'' go6457