Work and Income is guided by a “Ministerial Direction”, which specifies that an Advance must be for a “particular and immediate need for an essential item or service”. You’ll need to show that an Advance is the best way to meet this need.
Advances are usually paid for needs such as appliances, furniture, bedding, rent or a bond for new accommodation, power or school uniforms. Payments are made directly to suppliers (if they’re on Work and Income’s database) or indirectly through a payment card provided to you by Work and Income.
Usually an Advance from Work and Income is the last resort – for example, when you’ve received an eviction notice from your landlord or a disconnection notice from your power company.