29 Apr 2013

Salvation Army warns of cuts to budgeting services

10:59 am on 29 April 2013

The Salvation Army says it may lose a third of its budget advisors when a government fund set up because of the recession ends in July.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says she is aware of the current pressures on organisations such as the Salvation Army and will be making an announcement about budgeting services shortly.

The government's temporary Community Response Fund, which helps pay for more than 20 extra budget advisors, is scheduled to end in June.

The Salvation Army says this will have a huge impact on the poor and the vulnerable.

The charity says it's facing the biggest demand for its social and budgeting services in history, but may lose 18 of its 50 budget advisors by the end of June.

Salvation Army social services secretary Pam Waugh says the budget advisors are needed desperately as they provide budgeting skills that help reduce families' dependence on welfare.

She says budgeters have helped 4500 familes in the past year.

Major Waugh says the demand for its budgeting services has increased by 230% since 2008.

The charity recently had to cut the jobs of four social workers in Auckland and a number of social workers' jobs are also under review.