Permanent disability
When a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner has confirmed a client (or their partner or dependent child, if any) has a permanent disability that never needs to be reassessed, the client is still required to confirm their ongoing additional costs arising from that disability and to provide evidence of any cost that:
- has increased or
- is a new cost.
Note if a client has a change in circumstances, MSD will need to assess the client’s eligibility for Disability Allowance and determine the rate payable depending on when the change in circumstances happened or will happen.
New cost to be included
If a client has a new cost to be included in their Disability Allowance, they must provide a new medical certificate completed by their registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner that confirms the new cost is a result of the client's disability, on-going and of therapeutic value.
Cost included has reduced
Verification of a disability cost is not required if the client states a cost that is already included in their Disability Allowance has reduced. If the cost has reduced, accept this and review the client's (or their partner or dependent child, if any) Disability Allowance.
Cost is unchanged
Generally, verification is not required if a cost included in a client’s Disability Allowance is unchanged. However, MSD may carry out a separate review of the Disability Allowance at any time, where there is good reason. This could be where MSD is unsure about a cost e.g., a change in pharmaceutical subsidies has happened and the client has not advised of that change.
For more information see:
For more information see:
- Disability Allowance [no link find out why] procedures
- Advises more than 14 days after the event
- Verification of costs
Legislation
- Review of entitlement to, or rate of, benefit granted Part 6, subpart 3 Social Security Act 2018
- Beneficiary must notify change of circumstances section 113 Social Security Act 2018
