FAQ

Q. How do I begin my ACC Sensitive Claim?

A. 1. If you reside in New Zealand and have suffered sexual abuse, you can make an appointment with your GP and they will start your claim for you. You do not have to disclose your abuse details to your GP, you can state "Sensitive Issue" to them.

2. Or locate an ACC registered counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist and commence therapy. The therapist will allow you 4 free sessions to ascertain that you qualify for ACC funded therapy  and that you are a "good fit together". The therapist then organises a "Supported Assessment" with an ACC registered professional who will assess you for continued funding for therapy. Therapy is likely to extend up to 12 weeks while claimant acceptance by ACC is being processed. 

This is the process at this time until December 2024, then there is to be a transition period to a new process. 

Q. What kind of therapeutic assistance is available to sensitive claimants? 

A. An ACC registered psychologist, psychotherapist or counselor will be your lead provider and they can request for other healing modalities to be included in your therapy through your well being plan, which is a yearly report sent to your Recovery Partner at ACC by your therapist. 

Some examples, as long as they are ACC registered, include - weighted blankets, noise cancelling headphones, mirimiri, trauma informed yoga, art therapy, equine therapy and EMDR - ( Eye Movement Desensitisation Realisation ). Also there is a Training for Independence Program which includes an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, dietician and a social worker. 

You can receive 4 hours mandatory social worker - more hours if required and whanau hours as well, so your family can be included with therapy. 

Please note; there is unfortunately, long wait times to see an ACC registered therapist. 

Social Rehabilitation - Ask for a Social Rehabilitation Needs Assessment - through your GP or your lead provider ( therapist ) to your Recovery Partner - you then have an ACC approved Social Rehabilitation Needs Assessor come to your home to talk about what your needs are and they write a report for ACC respond to. If you have physical and sensitive issue claims and needs, this is taken into account. The goal is to get you to a "normal" level of social interactions and abilities.  This assessment is written within the ACT and is a legal requirement for ACC to uphold, only they "forget" to tell you about it - you have to ask. Social is what it sounds like - hobbies, sports, cafes.. etc - but if you can't travel to a cafe for example, then that needs to be worked out. If you can't travel to get the groceries, again, that needs working out. ( This could come in the form of a decent car ). If you need support at medical procedures ( cervical smear, mammogram xrays etc ), that needs to be worked out. If you are needing dental work to feel confident in public. There are probably a range of other social requirements we may have. Your recovery partner will likely be resistant to providing this, but quote the ACT and keep at it. ( Along with support from your GP/Therapist ). 

Under the ACT -  You go to Schedule 1 - Entitlements and under entitlements there is a sub section called Social Rehabilitation - then there are numerous sub headings. Aids and appliances, Attendant Care, Child care, Education Support, Home Help, Modifications to Home, Training for Independence, Transport for Independence. If you have trouble, give Wayfinders a call, they will help out.

Q. What kind of financial assistance is available to sensitive claimants?

A. There are two types of financial compensation available to claimants. 

1. Weekly Compensation. If you have to leave your employment because of an injury linked to your sensitive claim you will need a medical certificate ( ACC54 ) and apply to ACC through your GP. If ACC accepts your application, you will need to go to your GP there after for 3 monthly medical certificates ( ACC18 ) to say you are unfit for work. Can take some time to be accepted.

LOPE - ( Loss of Potential Earnings ) this is a form of weekly compensation granted to people who have been injured in childhood. There are three assessments that ACC will ask of you, Initial Medical Assessment, Functional Assessment and Initial Occupational Assessment. This can take up to around two years. LOPE is paid out at the amount of minimum wage minus 20%. If accepted, you can ask for back pay. Being back payed to 18 years of age ( then a six month stand down, so 18 years 6 months ) can take years to happen. MSD are automatically back payed any parent benefit you are paid and all weekly compensation is taxed.

2. PIC ( Permanent Impairment Compensation ) This comes in two forms depending on when you have an accepted claim with ACC. You will need to have a Permanent Impairment Assessment ( ACC554). The assessor will look at your everyday life and assess how badly your life has been affected by your injury and mark you a percentage of impairment. If that percentage is 10% or over you will receive financial payment. The higher the percentage, the higher the payment. 

If your claim was accepted by ACC before April 2002, you are eligible for Independence Allowance.  This is paid 3 monthly or 5 yearly in advance. Either payment time is your choice.

If your claim was accepted after April 2002, you are eligible for a lump sum payment, which is a one off payment.  

Call ACC and ask for a PIC pack. Fill in your part of the form, then make an appointment with your GP to fill in their part of the form. Your GP will send the form onto ACC.

Any PIC ( Permanent Impairment Compensation ) is not taxed and doesn't affect any MSD or WFF payments you may be receiving. 

Q. Can we choose our assessors? 

A. Yes, and being assessed correctly is the basis of having full support financially and therapeutically from ACC. We have noticed that not all assessors are equal. 

Q. What is a Recovery Partner?

A. A Recovery Partner is the new term for Case Manager. They are part of a Recovery Team and sometimes you are managed by the Recovery Team. You can ask about who is managing your claim. If you wish for a dedicated Recovery Partner, you can ask for that to happen.  

Q. How do I make a complaint about ACC?

A. Go to the ACC website -https://www.acc.co.nz/  and on the right hand side of the front page, there is a feedback tab. Click on that and tell ACC what's bothering you.

Q. How long....?

A. ACC have mastered the art of making claimants wait... and wait for outcomes especially financial. Our advice to you, if you have an accepted claim, is to use this time to focus on your healing journey if you possibly can. ACC are not the only mental health injury therapeutic agency in New Zealand. There is also online healing guidance by the score. Go to the resources page of this website.