Externals Issue 4 (September 2011)
Newsletter for health and disability professionals and organisations
Introduction by the Principal Health and Disability Advisors
“Externals” has been created to keep you updated on news and events from across the Ministry of Social Development that relate to the Health and Disability sector.
Our aim with “Externals” is to cover the wide and diverse interests of the Health and Disability sector.
“Externals” is designed so your topic of special interest is easily found.
If there are topics you’d like covered in our next issue, or you’d like to give us feedback, we’d like to hear from you.
Please contact us, the Principal Advisors:
- David at david.bratt001@msd.govt.nz
- Anne at anne.hawker011@msd.govt.nz.
Sickness Benefit – additional information for practitioners
In May this year, we made some changes to the Sickness Benefit as part of the Government’s Future Focus welfare package. To help explain some of the changes and what they may mean for your patients, we have developed a set of frequently asked questions.
Questions include:
- What happens if I say my patient can work part-time?
- Will my patient lose their benefit if they can’t get a job?
The service experience of New Zealanders with disabilities - a Kiwis Count report
A report on the Service experience of New Zealanders with disabilities is now available on the SSC website. Eleven percent of New Zealanders who answered the latest Kiwis Count survey identified themselves as having a long-term disability or handicap.
The report shows government agencies how New Zealanders with a disability access their services and helps to identify what is required to improve service quality for them.
Key findings include:
- New Zealanders with a disability are more likely to be aged 65 years or over, have a personal income of $25,000 or less and have no qualifications. This could have implications on the willingness and capability to take up new technologies e.g. New Zealanders with a disability are less likely to have used or prefer to use Internet or mobile phones to contact public services.
- Compared with New Zealanders without a disability, New Zealanders with a disability generally find it harder to access public services.
- Expectations of public services are significantly higher amongst New Zealanders with a disability than those without a disability, with over half (53%) expecting to receive a higher quality of service than they would from the private sector. Unfortunately, New Zealanders with a disability don’t think that their expectations are being met, with only a fifth (18%) agreeing that public service quality is higher than in the private sector.
Keep updated on what’s new with Kiwis Count, the Common Measurement Tool (CMT) and the New Zealanders’ Experience Research Programme at:
Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand
Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) is an operational unit of the New Zealand Defence Force. VANZ exists to meet the government's obligation to war veterans through the provision of policy advice to the government and service delivery to the veteran community.
New Zealand Veteran Entitlements
New Zealand's war repatriation system is predicated on the War Pensions Act 1954 which provides for the formal recognition of the service given to New Zealand by ex-service men and women and the need to reaffirm the special status of veterans. As such war pensions and allowances are viewed as entitlements, rather than as benefits. Some brief details on entitlements and services available to veterans are shown below.
Who is a veteran?
Generally a veteran is a person who has had service in the Armed Forces of New Zealand and has served in a recognised war or emergency. Service people who had service prior to 1 April 1974 may also be eligible for support from VANZ.
Entitlements and Services Available
War Disablement Pension
A War Disablement Pension is a compensatory payment designed to counterbalance the impact on a veteran’s quality of life from a disability that is attributable to, or aggravated by their service.
Eligibility - War Disablement Pensions are not an automatic entitlement. Veterans with eligible service in a recognised war or emergency can apply for a War Disablement Pension for any current disability that they believe is attributable to or aggravated by their service. The disability may occur during service, or it may develop at a later date as a result of that service.
Medical Treatment - Fully funded health care is available to veterans who are on a War Disablement Pension for disabilities that are attributable to, or aggravated by, service.
Veterans’ Pension
Veteran's Pension is an income support payment, paid at the same rate as New Zealand Superannuation. The Veteran's Pension is taxed but not asset tested. Unlike Superannuation, Veteran's Pension payments are not reduced should a veteran require long term hospital care.
Eligibility - A veteran, who has reached the qualifying age for New Zealand Superannuation, may qualify for a Veteran's Pension if the veteran has served in a recognised war or emergency and is in receipt of a War Disablement Pension of at least 70 percent. A veteran, who has not reached the qualifying age for New Zealand Superannuation, may qualify for a Veteran's Pension if the veteran has served in a recognised war or emergency, and is unable to work for a substantial period due to either a physical or psychological disability.
Surviving Spouse Pension
A Surviving Spouses Pension is also available to the partners of veterans who have died while on specified service or, if they were in receipt of a War Disablement Pension of at least 70% when at the time of death, or their death is attributable to their service. These payments are not taxed and paid for the surviving partner’s lifetime unless they remarry. All pensions are annually adjusted in line with the Consumer Price Index.
Case Management
Veterans who are receiving benefits from VANZ are case managed by an in-house case management team. Case managers work with veterans to ensure that entitlements to pensions and other benefits are accessed and also provide assistance to veterans when dealing with other government agencies.
More Information
Telephone 04 0800 Veteran (0800 483 8372) in NZ or 0064 4495 2070 from overseas.
Completing forms on behalf of clients
This is a reminder that case managers can complete forms (including application for benefit and review forms) on behalf of clients with their authorisation.
This is particularly relevant for people experiencing language or communication and literacy difficulties, including clients for whom English is a second language and clients who have a disability.
There is provision for case managers to complete and sign the form noting that it has been completed on behalf of the client. Case managers must note when they have completed or altered any part of a form and why. This includes adding a UCVII note to the client record.
Access to MSD services
MSD are exploring ways to increase the access by deaf people to front-line service delivery for the deaf by extending the reach of our limited pool of NZ Sign Language experts through the use of video conferencing services.
The Cabinet paper proposing implementation of the Disability Action Plan, with a focus on the recovery of Christchurch over 2011/2012, is available on the ODI website
NZMA Health Equity Position Statement
In July 2011 the New Zealand Medical Association facilitated the visit to New Zealand of world-renowned researcher and advocate on inequities in health, Prof Sir Michael Marmot.
Sir Michael Marmot is a UK based epidemiologist, a world-renowned researcher, and advocate on inequities in health. His ground-breaking research demonstrating the effects social determinates have on health status among UK’s civil servants is often considered the “Rosetta Stone” of understanding how the circumstances of peoples’ lives have a direct effect on their health status.
The NZMA is committed to promoting health equity and it is a key focus of their advocacy work.
In February the NZMA published their position statement on health equity, calling for an urgent whole of government approach to improve health equity in New Zealand, with a particular focus on our most vulnerable groups.
Read more about the NZMA Health Equity Position Statement and Sir Michael Marmot on the NZMA website.
Medical certificates are clinical instruments too
A recent article in the Listener by Joanne Black on the Health Benefits of Work quoted a study of Auckland GPs which claimed that 87% of the GPs reported writing clinically unjustified diagnoses on Work and Income Medical Certificates.
In claiming to be advocates for their patients they seem to have ignored the significant body of evidence pointing out the negative health effects of worklessness for both the client and their whanau.
The MCNZ position statement of Medical Certification should be mandatory reading for all medical practitioners.
The MCNZ statement makes it clear that:-
- Certificates are legal documents
- Doctors need to be aware that completing a certificate has implications for the patient, themselves (credibility), and the agency receiving the certificate
- Doctors may be legally challenged and called upon in a NZ Court to justify their clinical certification
- Providing misleading or untrue information is professional misconduct
- The information disclosed should be accurate and based on clinical observation, with patient comment clearly distinguished from clinical observation
A Medical Certificate of any type should be treated with the same clinical rigor as a prescription, an investigation or a referral. It is your professionalism that is being demonstrated."
Feedback
Remember, we welcome your suggestions and ideas. Did you find the newsletter useful, what can be done to make it more useful, and what worked or didn’t work?
Please send any feedback to:
Childcare and OSCAR subsidy
Childcare Subsidy
Childcare Subsidy is for pre-school children aged under 5 years and attending an early childhood programme for 3 or more hours a week, (or under 6 years if you get the Child Disability allowance for them). Childcare subsidy is available for up to 9 hours of childcare a week and in some cases up to 50 hours a week depending on your circumstances.
You could get this subsidy if you are:
- working, studying or on an approved training course or
- involved in an activity that we have asked you to do or
- a shift worker who works nights or
- seriously ill or disabled or
- caring for a child in hospital or a child you get the Child Disability Allowance for.
The early childhood programme must be licensed and/or chartered – this includes home-based care schemes, chartered under the Education Act 1989 and Te Kohanga Reo.
OSCAR Subsidy
OSCAR Subsidy (Out of School Care and Recreation Subsidy) is for children aged 5-13 years (or up to 18 years if they receive the Child Disability Allowance). It helps towards the costs of before and after school care of up to 20 hours a week, and school holiday programmes of up to 50 hours a week.
You could get this subsidy if you are:
- working, doing a work related activity or studying or
- seriously ill or disabled or
- paid the Child Disability Allowance for any of your children or
- caring for a child that is in hospital.
The service that provides the care must be approved by Ministry of Social Development.
How much is paid?
How much subsidy for either Childcare or OSCAR depends on the size of your family, your income, and how many hours a week your child goes to the service provider. The subsidies are paid directly to the service provider
The following four topics cover the qualifications that parents or caregivers need to meet in order to qualify for a Childcare or OSCAR Subsidy because of illness or disability;
- Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy qualifications for children in receipt of a Child Disability Allowance
- Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy qualifications for children whose siblings are in receipt of a Child Disability Allowance
- Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy qualifications for children who are siblings of a child in hospital
- Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy qualifications for children who have a seriously disabled or ill caregiver
1. Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy qualifications for children in receipt of a Child Disability Allowance
Qualifications
A client may be able to receive a Childcare Subsidy of up to 50 hours a week, or an OSCAR Subsidy of up to 20 hours per week in term time or 50 hours per week in holidays if the following criteria apply:
Childcare Subsidy
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child under 6 years old who is eligible for Child Disability Allowance (CDA) and
- the child attends a licensed pre-school facility for at least 3 hours per week.
OSCAR Subsidy
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged more than 5 years old but less than 18 years old if the dependent child receives CDA and
- the child attends an approved OSCAR programme for at least 3 hours per week.
The other parent
- The other parent or partner is not expected to provide care if the child is in receipt of a CDA.
Other qualifications for childcare and OSCAR subsidy
- To receive Childcare Subsidy or OSCAR clients must also:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and are generally ordinarily resident in New Zealand and
- meet an income test
Qualifying Hours
The parent can claim as many hours as they wish up to the following level,
- Childcare Subsidy; more than 3 hours and up to a maximum of 50 hours per week
- OSCAR subsidy; more than 3 hours and up to 20 hours per week during term time and more than 3 hours and up to 50 hours per week in the holidays.
Entitlement Ceases
Subsidy payment entitlement in this category ceases when the child receiving of CDA no longer qualifies for that payment.
What is the difference between Childcare Subsidy and OSCAR Subsidy for children in receipt of a Child Disability Allowance?
- They may receive up to 50 hours of childcare subsidy until they turn 6 years or start school which ever is the earliest. Children who do not receive CDA can only receive childcare subsidy for 28 days after they turn 5 if the parent applies for an extension of hours. In all other cases childcare subsidy entitlement ceases on the first Monday after the child's 5th birthday.
- Children over 5 (or 6) in receipt of CDA can receive an OSCAR Subsidy until they turn 18 years old. Children who don’t receive CDA are also not able to receive OSCAR Subsidy after their 14th birthday.
Note; Childcare or OSCAR subsidies cannot be paid if another organisation is funding the same hours. For example, you can’t receive Early Childhood Education (ECE) and childcare subsidy for the same hours.
2. Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy qualifications for children whose siblings are in receipt of a Child Disability Allowance
Qualifications
A client may be able to receive a Childcare Subsidy of up to 50 hours a week, or an OSCAR Subsidy of up to 20 hours per week in term time or 50 hours per week in holidays if:
Childcare Subsidy
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged under 5 years old or
- aged 5 years old but not yet attending a school. Children who do not receive CDA only receive childcare subsidy for 28 days after they turn 5 if the parent applies for an extension of hours. In all other cases Childcare Subsidy entitlement ceases on the first Monday after the child's 5th birthday.
- under 6 years old and is eligible for Child Disability Allowance (CDA) and
- the child attends a licensed pre-school facility for at least 3 hours per week
- the dependant child has a sibling in receipt of CDA
OSCAR Subsidy
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged at least 5 and under 14 years old or
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged more than 14 years old but less than 18 years old if the dependent child receives CDA and
- they attend an approved OSCAR programme for at least 3 hours per week
- the dependant child has a sibling in receipt of CDA.
The other Parent
- The other parent or partner is generally expected to provide care for the siblings of a child receiving CDA, unless there is a good reason that they are unable to do this.
Other qualifications for childcare and OSCAR subsidy
- To receive childcare subsidy or OSCAR clients must also:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and are generally ordinarily resident in New Zealand and
- meet an income test
Qualifying Hours
The parent can claim as many hours as they wish up to the following level,
- Childcare Subsidy; more than 3 hours and up to a maximum of 50 hours per week
- OSCAR subsidy; more than 3 hours and up to 20 hours per week during term time and more than 3 hours and up to 50 hours per week in the holidays.
Entitlement ceases
- Subsidy payment entitlement in this category ceases when the child receiving CDA no longer qualifies for that payment.
3. Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy qualifications for children who are siblings of a child in hospital
Qualifications
A client may be able to receive a Childcare Subsidy of up to 50 hours a week, or an OSCAR Subsidy of up to 20 hours per week in term time or 50 hours per week in holidays if:
Childcare Subsidy
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child and the child is under 5 years old or
- under 6 years old and is eligible for Child Disability Allowance (CDA) or
- aged 5 years old but not yet attending a school (Children who do not receive CDA only receive childcare subsidy for 28 days after they turn 5 if the parent applies for an extension of hours. In all other cases Childcare Subsidy entitlement ceases on the first Monday after the child's 5th birthday) and
- a dependent child has siblings (or other dependent children) who has been admitted to hospital and will be in hospital for more than one week and
- the child attends a licensed pre-school facility for at least 3 hours per week.
OSCAR Subsidy
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged at least 5 and under 14 years old or
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged more than 14 years old but less than 18 years old if the dependent child receives Child Disability Allowance (CDA) and
- a dependent child has siblings (or other dependent children) who has been admitted to hospital and will be in hospital for more than one week and
- they attend an approved OSCAR programme for at least 3 hours per week
The other parent
- The other parent or caregiver are not expected to provide care for the siblings while the other child remains in hospital.
Other qualifications for childcare and OSCAR subsidy
- To receive childcare subsidy or OSCAR clients must also:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and are generally ordinarily resident in New Zealand and
- meet an income test
Qualifying Hours
The parent can claim as many hours as they wish up to the following level,
- Childcare Subsidy; more than 3 hours and up to a maximum of 50 hours per week
- OSCAR subsidy; more than 3 hours and up to 20 hours per week during term time and more than 3 hours and up to 50 hours per week in the holidays.
Entitlement ceases
Subsidy payment entitlement in this category ceases when the hospitalised child is discharged.
4. Childcare and OSCAR Subsidy qualifications for children who have a seriously disabled or ill caregiver
Qualifications
A seriously ill or disabled client may be able to receive a Childcare Subsidy of up to 50 hours a week, or an OSCAR Subsidy of up to 20 hours per week in term time or 50 hours per week in holidays. Seriously ill or disabled means a physical, medical, psychological or psychiatric condition that reduces the person’s independent function and is likely to continue for more than six months.
Childcare Subsidy
Clients must meet these criteria to receive childcare subsidy:
- they are the principal caregiver of a dependent child and the child is under 5 years old or
- under 6 years old and is eligible for Child Disability Allowance (CDA) or
- aged 5 years old but not yet attending a school (Children who do not receive CDA only receive childcare subsidy for 28 days after they turn 5 if the parent applies for an extension of hours. In all other cases Childcare Subsidy entitlement ceases on the first Monday after the child's 5th birthday).
- the child attends or will attend a licensed pre-school facility for at least 3 hours per week and
- Childcare Subsidy can be paid if the Ministry is satisfied that the principal caregiver has a serious disability or illness, needs childcare for more than 9 hours a week and one of the following applies:
- the child has no other caregiver, or
- the child’s other caregiver is in employment, an employment-related training course, or a job seeker development activity, or
- the Ministry is satisfied that the child’s other caregiver isn’t able to care for the child, despite not being in employment, an employment-related training course, or a job seeker development activity, or
- Child Disability Allowance is payable for the child.
OSCAR Subsidy
Clients must meet these criteria to receive an OSCAR Subsidy:
- he or she must be the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged at least 5 and under 14 years old or be the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged between 14 and 18 years old if the dependent child receives Child Disability Allowance (CDA)
- the child attends or will attend an approved OSCAR programme for at least 3 hours per week and
- An OSCAR Subsidy can be paid if the Ministry is satisfied that the principal caregiver has a serious disability or illness, needs an OSCAR programme for the child for more than 3 hours a week, and one of the following applies:
- the child has no other caregiver, or
- the child’s other caregiver is in employment, an employment-related training course, or a job seeker development activity, or
- the Ministry is satisfied that the child’s other caregiver isn’t able to care for the child, despite not being in employment, an employment-related training course, or a job seeker development activity, or
- Child Disability Allowance is payable for the child.
The other Parent
- The other parent or partner is generally expected to provide care for the child unless there is a good reason that they are unable to do this (details under Childcare Subsidy and OSCAR Subsidy).
Other qualifications for Childcare and OSCAR subsidy
- To receive Childcare Subsidy or OSCAR clients must also:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and are generally ordinarily resident in New Zealand and
- meet an income test.
Qualifying Hours
The parent can claim as many hours as they wish up to the following level,
- Childcare Subsidy; They must require more than 9 hours Childcare Subsidy and up to a maximum of 50 hours per week
- OSCAR subsidy; They must require more than 3 hours and up to 20 hours per week during term time and more than 3 hours and up to 50 hours per week in the holidays.
Entitlement ceases
- Payment of subsidy in this category ceases when the qualifications are no longer met.
