About the wellbeing support service#

What we can provide#

Practical support

We can provide you and your whānau with practical support, including counselling. We can help with things that would make an immediate difference in your life right now while you are waiting for your claim to be processed.

Holistic approach

We take a holistic approach to supporting you while you’re engaging in the Ministry’s sensitive claims process. It is a free, voluntary service for all current eligible claimants and their whānau.

Short-term support

The service is a short-term support mechanism which means it is limited to temporary assistance rather than extended or ongoing support. Short-term supports are targeted to help address immediate wellbeing needs by completing a needs assessment with you.

Not part of your claim review#

The support service is not part of your claim review, and it won’t impact any financial redress that may be offered to settle your claim.

Who can access the wellbeing support service#

Individuals with an eligible sensitive claim can use the wellbeing service. You’re unable to use the full wellbeing service if you live outside Aotearoa New Zealand or you live in prison.

If you live overseas or reside in a New Zealand prison, access to counselling is still available. We can fund counselling sessions and pay for these directly when your counsellor invoices us. If you are in prison, you need to already have a counsellor you wish to work with or have the support of the prison to assist in finding a suitable counsellor.

Types of supports we can offer#

We are flexible with the types of support we can give you. It could include:

• healthcare services including doctor, dentist, rongoā, mirimiri, massage, yoga, hearing aids
• counselling
• gym membership
• specialised services including cognitive therapy, equine therapy, dietitian, family or relationship therapy, music therapy, respite care, and diagnostic services (for example ADHD, dyslexia)
• childcare or access to educational or other support for children
• referral to services including Housing, Work and Income, iwi/local/community social services, law centre, budgeting support
• equipment that supports job-seeking or study, for example, computer, mobile phone, stationery, home-office set up
• food, petrol, or clothing vouchers
• transport costs including flights and accommodation if needed for survivor-centric events
• house maintenance goods or services such as lawn mower, house cleaning
• general goods and equipment such as bicycles, helmets, household furniture, kitchenware, linen, whiteware, sport or hobby equipment (for example, gardening tools or fishing equipment)
• birth certificates.

Working with you#

We will work with you to find the right people and services to support you and your whānau to improve your wellbeing. We will be respectful of your culture and values. We want to engage with you in a way that works for you.