Transport - disability

MSD must check if the client qualifies for Disability Allowance for the costs of regular additional travel a client has because of their disability.

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

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

• 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 transport costs are necessary. The certificate must also confirm the transport is beneficial and of therapeutic value and that the costs are:

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

Allowable costs for Temporary Additional Support can include additional travel costs that a person has because of their disability. These additional travel costs can be incurred when a person with a disability is carrying out everyday activities.

Examples of everyday activities may include but are not limited to:

• shopping
• work.

The amount of the allowable cost is the difference between the costs incurred by the disabled person and the costs that a person in a similar situation without a disability would have.

Public transport should be used in preference to taxis if it is available and if the client's disability does not prevent them from using it.

Note when the client has a Total Mobility card/vouchers and their taxi fares are subsidised, you should only use the unsubsidised amount in the assessment.

If a client is using public transport and has a Community Services Card, they can get a 50% discount on public transport fares through Community Connect and should take reasonable steps to reduce their costs by applying for the discount.

When a client has not used their Community Services Card to apply for the discount, MSD must discuss their reasons for this, if their actual public transport costs are higher than they would be if the 50% discount was applied.

The client may have a good reason for applying for the 50% discount (e.g. there are accessibility issues with applying for the Community Connect discount through a public transport provider's website, and this is the only way to apply).

Note MSD may already hold this information if the client is getting a Disability Allowance with public transport costs included. MSD should consider this information when making a decision about the client's allowable costs.

When there is a good reason, the client's allowable costs for travel should be the client's actual costs.

If there is no good reason, their allowable costs for travel should not be more than the cost of the subsidised public transport fare.

Allowable costs for Temporary Additional Support do not include:

• attending treatment at a hospital when the costs are fully funded by Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora or other agency or Special Needs Grant Health travel costs
• children or students with disabilities who qualify for assistance through the Ministry of Education. Refer clients in these cases to the Group Special Education. If the child is not eligible for Special Education Transport, the client should get a letter stating why. Contact Helpline for advice
• the cost of travel to attend counselling sessions - this can only be included in a Disability Allowance