Proof of counselling costs

A registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner must verify:

• the disability and
• the need for counselling and
• that the counselling costs are additional and ongoing and
• that the counselling is beneficial and of therapeutic value and directly related to the client's disability

Note treatment that is beneficial and of therapeutic value means the treatment may improve the client's condition, maintain the client's condition, or prevent it from getting worse.

The client must provide:

• a Disability Certificate - Counselling completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner and counsellor and
• receipts or invoices or quotes showing the weekly cost of counselling and
• evidence that the counsellor has an appropriate qualification (for example proof that they are: a counsellor or a registered member of the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB), this evidence may be printed on the receipt or letterhead)

When Disability Allowance is granted for counselling an expiry date is created and the cost is automatically excluded when the expiry date is reached.

If the client applies for additional sessions they will need to supply receipts or invoices, as proof that they are attending the counselling. MSD should tell the client about this requirement at their initial interview.

For their Disability Allowance review, the client must also:

• keep a receipt for every counselling session as proof of attendance and
• record every visit on the 'Record of Counselling card'