Contents
Supported Living Payment : Contents

Work Ability Assessment

A Work Ability Assessment is an independent assessment to identify what work a client can do, and the support and services they need to gain and retain work. The assessment must be undertaken by a suitably qualified registered health practitioner (such as a psychologist or occupational therapist), who is experienced in assisting people into work.

To be considered for a Work Ability Assessment a client must:

  • be receiving a benefit and
  • have a health condition or disability that stops them from working full-time and
  • be actively looking for work or be preparing for work

MSD cannot require clients to participate in a Work Ability Assessment if they are receiving Supported Living Payment and:

  • are terminally ill, or have little or no capacity for work, and their condition is deteriorating or unlikely to improve or
  • have been given simplified access to the Supported Living Payment at application or
  • are former Invalid's Benefit clients who have been identified as meeting a similar criteria as based on a current medical certificate (signed by a registered medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or psychologist) or designated health practitioner report

Requirements

Before referring a client for a Work Ability Assessment, MSD must have:

  • completed a Self-Assessment with the client and
  • been working proactively and intensively with the client to move them into employment and
  • completed a Structured Interview with the client and
  • reviewed all relevant information held about the client

MSD should consider if:

  • the client is progressing towards employment in line with the existing service plan and the information contained on their Work Capacity Medical Certificates
  • previous supports and services have been effective
  • more information is needed to ensure the client is matched to the appropriate employment support and services

Before a referral for a Work Ability Assessment can be made, MSD's Regional Health Advisor or Regional Disability Advisor must review the information and documentation held about the client and consider their suitability for a Work Ability Assessment.

If the client is a suitable candidate the Regional Health Advisor or Regional Disability Advisor will identify the information to be provided as part of the referral and determine the provider or assessor the client will be referred to.

If the client is not a suitable candidate the Regional Health Advisory or Regional Disability Advisor will recommend alternative options to help the client progress towards employment in line with the existing service plan.

For more information see:

Legislation

  • Obligation to undergo work ability assessment sections 115-118 Social Security Act 2018
  • MSD must make people affected aware of their obligations, consequences of non-compliance, and their review and appeal rights section 106 Social Security Act 2018
Top

A health practitioner is a person who is registered with an authority as a practitioner of a particular health profession under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. All health practitioners have a unique identifying number called a Health Practitioners Index number (HPI number).

MSD may require information from a registered health practitioner to help determine a person's eligibility for some types of financial assistance.

Note unless specifically mentioned otherwise, most medical ...

A Work Capacity Medical Certificate provides information to help determine a person's eligibility for a benefit.

Jobseeker Support - health condition, injury or disability requires a Work Capacity Medical Certificate, or other medical certificate with equivalent information, to determine eligibility and activity obligations.

This medical certificate can also be used to determine if people on other benefits are unable to meet work related obligations or to determine eligibility to Supported Living Payment ...

A psychologist is a health practitioner who is registered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Psychologists are concerned with the study of behaviour.

Psychologists must be listed on the New Zealand Psychologists Board's Register and hold a current practising certificate.

Psychology is a broad field of practice and research which applies psychological principles to:

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 ...

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 ...