Job loss with a disability or health condition: your rights and support

Support if you're struggling

Employment Service and Workbridge

The Work and Income Employment Service gives one-on-one help to find work, support in your first year, and ongoing help while you're employed. It's run by specialist providers for people with disabilities, health conditions, mental health conditions or neurodiversity. You don't need to be on a benefit.

You must be 16 to 64, have left school, be a NZ citizen or permanent resident, have a condition likely to last six months or more that affects finding work, and be ready to work.
Providers help with career planning, CVs and interviews, job matching, negotiating flexible arrangements and talking to your employer about support.
Choose a provider from the list on the Work and Income site or ask at your local service centre.
Workbridge also supports jobseekers with barriers to work, including disabled jobseekers: freephone 0508 858 858 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or register online at workbridge.co.nz.

Work and Income's Mainstream Employment programme can pay employers a wage subsidy (80% for the first six months and 50% for the second six months, for up to a year) when they hire a client on a main benefit whose disability or health condition significantly limits work. It's worth asking your case manager about.

Payments and extra-cost help

Payment	What it's for	Key points
Jobseeker Support (health condition or disability)	If you need to reduce hours or stop work for a while, or are looking for work with a condition	Medical certificate needed. May apply even if you have a job to return to, or no sick pay.
Supported Living Payment	If you're permanently and severely restricted in your ability to work, or totally blind	Condition affects capacity to work for more than 2 years (or life expectancy under 2 years), and you can't regularly work 15+ hours a week in open employment.
Disability Allowance	Regular extra costs from a disability: medical, prescriptions, counselling, special foods, power, heating, phone, travel	Weekly, untaxed, up to $82.85. Not a benefit: you don't need to be on one. Income limits apply if you don't get a main benefit (e.g. single 18+: $870 a week before tax).
New Employment Transition Grant	If you have a dependent child, aren't on a benefit (or came off one in the last 6 months), and you, your partner or your child is sick (or childcare has broken down) with no paid leave	Check eligibility with Work and Income.

Work and Income can also help with health-related travel, dental, glasses, medical alarms, phone costs, and home and vehicle modifications. See the Health and disability page on the Work and Income site, or ring 0800 559 009.

Your rights at work

Disability is a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Human Rights Act 1993.
Employers must provide reasonable accommodation so employees can fully take part at work, such as adjusted hours, equipment, an accessible workplace or modified duties. There are limits where adjustments would be unreasonable or a risk can't reasonably be managed.
Redundancy must still be genuine and fair. If you suspect your condition or sick leave played a part, see the redundancy rights guide.
You don't have to disclose a condition at interview unless it affects your ability to do the job safely. Think about what you need to say to get the adjustments you need.
To complain: talk to the employer, then mediation, a personal grievance (90 days) or the Human Rights Commission. Employment NZ 0800 20 90 20 can advise.

Talking about your condition

Asking for an adjustment

I'd like to talk about how I can do my best work. My [condition] means that [specific effect, e.g. long periods standing are difficult]. A small change such as [adjustment] would help. I've found that with this in place I'm fully able to [do the main duties].

Focus on solutions and what you can do.
Your employment service provider can speak to employers for you.
Ask about funding for equipment and workplace modifications. Providers know what's available.

Looking after yourself

Losing work when you already carry extra load is hard. Lean on your health team, whānau and peers. Free counselling is available through your GP practice (see the free mental health support guide), and Healthline 0800 611 116 gives free advice.

Sources

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