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Chapter Five

ACC – If you have had an accident at any age

If you have had an accident in New Zealand, or if you have an accident in another country but return to New Zealand within 6 months of the accident, you qualify for support through the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Visitors to New Zealand also qualify for this support.

How do I get ACC support?

The usual way to get ACC support is through your own GP, Urgent Doctors, or through the Accident and Emergency Department of your hospital. An accident may happen at your place of work, in your home, during a recreation or sporting activity, or during any day-to-day activity. Lots of things qualify as an accident. You may fall, you may be injured by someone else, or you may re-injure an old injury that was due to an accident.

If you have not got help from ACC through the above routes you may be referred by a health related organization or you may approach ACC yourself.

What happens next?

For most people the treatment period is short and they recover quickly. The treatment provider will help you fill out an Injury Claim Form and ACC will pay either all or part of the cost of treatment. It is important to make a claim as soon as possible because ACC may not be able to accept a claim made more than 12 months after an injury.

What is a Needs Assessment?

A Needs Assessment is necessary if your injuries are considered more serious and you need extra support. A Needs Assessment determines if you are eligible for ACC, what level of support is needed and what services you will need to help you to return to your normal life, or as near to it as possible, as soon as you can. A form is completed by the Needs Assessor after either visiting you in your home and talking with you, or visiting you in hospital. You will then receive a letter from ACC outlining the level of support. The assistance you get depends on your individual needs. As your needs change the assistance you receive will also change.

How are services put in place?

You will be contacted by your ACC case manager who will work with you to prepare a rehabilitation plan. This means planning steps that will help you become independent, including the part played by your family/whanau, doctor, or employer.

Who pays?

Sometimes ACC will help toward the cost of your treatment and sometimes treatment costs – such as acute treatment in hospital – are paid in full by ACC. ACC will also help with travel to treatment costs, including ambulance costs within 24 hours of the injury. If your injury keeps you off work, or stops you from caring for someone else, you will be compensated for your loss of earnings and get help with caring costs.

What if I do not understand the form or the process?

You may have someone with you to help you understand such as a friend, family/whanau member, a Patient Advocate, or an interpreter. There is also a Pai Arahi available through ACC to support you.

All you need to do is ask.

What support services could be available to me?

Your ACC Case Manager can help you to access some of the following support services:

  • Personal Care
  • Domestic Assistance
  • Childcare
  • Transport Costs
  • Surgery Costs
  • Mobility
  • Special Equipment
  • Changes to your Home
  • Training and Education
  • Advocacy - Pai Arahi
  • Rehabilitation Centres
  • Carer Support/Respite Care
  • Recreational, social and personal development
  • Special Equipment