The process of making a claim can be challenging, and having support may help. We have some suggestions about support for your wellbeing and support to help you with the claim process.
The first step is to receive treatment for your injury from your health provider. This could be through your doctor, physiotherapist, or ACC-registered counsellor. Ask your health provider to make (lodge) an ACC claim on your behalf.
If your claim is related to sexual abuse or assault, a therapy provider can lodge a claim for you. You can also get up to 14 hours of therapy for free, even if ACC ends up not accepting your claim. You can bring a support person to these appointments.
Find out which health providers are registered with ACC to provide treatment for injuriesopen_in_new
ACC calls them ‘registered health professionals’.
Most health providers registered with ACC can lodge (make) a claim.
Learn more about the process of making a claim to ACCopen_in_new
A treatment injury is an injury caused by treatment (for example, from your doctor or psychiatrist).
ACC can cover a treatment injury if:
A ‘registered’ health professional is a health provider who is registered with ACC.
Find a list of health services that can be registered with ACCopen_in_new.
The health professional who treated you and caused the injury can lodge a treatment injury claim for you. Or, you can ask a different health professional to lodge a treatment injury claim for you.
Sensitive claims are for mental and/or physical injuries caused by sexual abuse or sexual assault.
A therapy provider can lodge a sensitive claim for you. You can also get up to 14 hours of therapy for free, even if ACC ends up not accepting your claim.
You can also ask your GP or another health provider to lodge a sensitive claim for you.
You can get help with finding a free therapy provider by contacting Safe to talk. They can help you find a therapy provider and also give you free and confidential support and information:
You can also look for a therapy provider yourself, by searching the ACC’s Find Support websiteopen_in_new.
Safe to talkopen_in_new is a free nationwide helpline. They have trained specialists to help people who have experienced sexual harm and their whānau.
You can call Safe to talk at any time - 24 hours, seven days a week. But their service of helping you find a therapy provider is only available Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm, Saturdays 10am – 6.30pm
If English is not your first language, they can arrange for an interpreter. You can ask for an interpreter when you contact Safe to talk.
Learn more about how Safe to talk can help you if you want to make an ACC Sensitive Claimopen_in_new.
You can make a claim even if it has been many years since the abuse, and it has not been reported it to the police or other authorities.
Any of the health practitioners below can make a sensitive claim for you:
Learn more about making a sensitive claimopen_in_new on the ACC website.
The process of making a claim can bring up a range of emotions. We encourage you to find the support that is right for you. We have some suggestions about support for your wellbeing and support to help you with the claims process.You can also contact Safe to Talkopen_in_new, the 24/7 confidential sexual harm helpline. Phone 0800 044 334, email: support@safetotalk.nz or text: 4334.
If you are unsure how to make a claim, or want some support, there are people who can help.
Find out where you can get free advice and support with your ACC claim
You can give someone authority to talk to ACC on your behalf. You can give them this authority:
during a phone call with ACC for a one-off call or meeting
in writing if you want someone to act on your behalf long-term.
You can also decide how much information about you that person can access.
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