ACC, income protection and other claims if you're hurt or ill while out of work

What ACC covers

Accidents causing physical injury, including at home, sport and while jobseeking. ACC also covers some work-related gradual process injuries.
Treatment costs (part of GP visits, physio, surgery), and help like rehab, home help and aids for serious injuries.
Weekly compensation if you can't work because of a covered injury and you were an employee, self-employed or a shareholder-employee at the time of the accident. ACC pays up to 80% of your pre-injury earnings, usually from day 8 after the injury (there is a maximum; check current amounts on acc.co.nz).
Illness, disease and most mental health conditions aren't covered, except mental injury linked to a covered physical injury or sexual violence.

See a doctor, physio or other registered provider as soon as you can and say how the injury happened (so it can be lodged as an ACC claim).
The provider can lodge the claim (an ACC45 form) or you can lodge online at acc.co.nz.
ACC will contact you for details. Keep records of costs, receipts and time off work.
If you were employed, ask your employer or ex-employer for payslips for earnings information.
If you disagree with an ACC decision, you have 3 months from the decision to apply for a review. Free advocacy is available from Community Law and some unions.

ACC weekly compensation and a main benefit generally aren't paid in full together; tell both agencies about each payment so the amounts are adjusted correctly.
If you're sick or injured and can't work, Work and Income has Jobseeker Support – Health Condition and Disability, and you may be able to get a medical certificate to defer job-search obligations. See the obligations guide.
Tell Work and Income and ACC about each other's payments to avoid overpayments.

Income protection insurance pays a percentage of your income if you can't work due to illness or injury, after a stand-down period. Check whether yours is still in force, whether it's 'agreed value' or 'indemnity', and how it interacts with ACC.
Mortgage repayment insurance and accident, sickness and unemployment cover on loans and cards: read the policy wording for what's covered and the deadlines for claims.
Trauma and total and permanent disability (TPD) cover pay lump sums for serious illness or disability.
Keep premiums paid or ask for a premium holiday before you cancel. See the insurance guide.

General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.