Power, gas and heating

MSD must check if the client qualifies for Disability Allowance.

If the client qualifies for Disability Allowance, it must be granted before MSD assesses if the client qualifies for Temporary Additional Support.

The client may have allowable health and disability costs for Temporary Additional Support where they do not qualify for Disability Allowance because:

• they do not meet the Disability Allowance income limit or
• their disability will last less than 6 months or
• they are certain refugees, protected persons or residence applicants

A registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner must complete a Disability Allowance medical certificate confirming the client’s disability, the need for treatment and that additional power is necessary. The certificate must also confirm the treatment is beneficial and of therapeutic value and that the costs are:

• additional and
• ongoing and
• directly related to the client's disability

The amount of the allowable cost is the amount over and above the normal power consumption of similar-sized households in the area at the same time of the year.

The cost of additional electricity, gas or heating costs:

• should not be paid automatically because the client has a disability and lives in a colder part of the country (the additional expense must be due to the client's disability not the area of New Zealand they live in)
• can be paid for the cost of firewood over and above normal usage if the client uses this method of heating

Calculate the amount to be paid by comparing the client's:

• costs with the average costs for your region and
• power, gas etc usage before their disability with their costs incurred now (when appropriate)

If it is unclear what the average power cost is for the region the client is in, MSD should contact Helpline.

The client must provide:

• a Disability Allowance medical certificate completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner and
• copies of power accounts, and/or receipts for gas, coal, or firewood