A new advocacy group for quake affected residents is to begin work in about a month.
The Canterbury Insurance Advocacy Service has received a $200,000 start-up grant from Christchurch City Council, to act as an intermediary between residents and their insurance companies.
Acting chairman Mike Coleman said many people are still living in squalid conditions and need help settling insurance claims.
The group is about to file for charitable status, before beginning discussions with insurance companies and seeking residents in need of assistance.