Contents
Child Disability Allowance : Contents

Guidelines when determining a serious disability

Criteria for eligibility

MSD should consider if the child or young person meets 1 or more of the 3 criteria for constant care and attention below:

  • requires frequent assistance to manage their self-care
  • needs more attention and supervision than normally required by a person of the same age and gender
  • is likely to cause substantial danger to themselves or others without regular supervision

MSD can grant or decline Child Disability Allowance if it is satisfied the medical information provided is relevant, accurate and sufficient to assess eligibility.

However there are times when it is difficult to decide whether to grant or decline because it is not clear if the disability is serious enough to require constant care and attention for more than 12 months.

In these cases, seek advice from the Regional Health Advisor or Regional Disability Advisor. They may suggest:

  • getting additional information from the registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who completed the medical certificate or
  • an assessment by a designated health practitioner for a second opinion

Note when requesting additional information MSD doesn’t need the caregiver's consent when the matter relates directly to the medical information given by the medical or nurse practitioner.

For more information see:

Legislation

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A medical practitioner is commonly referred to as a doctor. Medical practitioners are health practitioners who are registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand as practitioners of the profession of medicine and hold a current practising certificate.

All medical practitioners have a unique identifying number called a Health Practitioners Index number (HPI number).

Medical practitioners don't need to have completed their training in New Zealand but must be registered with the New Zealand ...

Nurse practitioners are health practitioners who are registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and hold a current annual practising certificate.

Nurse practitioners are expert or specialist nurses with advanced education, clinical training and experience. They have demonstrated clinical competence and have the legal authority to practice as independent healthcare providers.

All nurse practitioners have a unique identifying number called a Health Practitioners Index number (HPI number).

Some nurse practitioners have specialised ...