Health and disability programmes
Work and Income may have health and disability programmes available to assist people into work. Not all programmes are available everywhere. Health and disability programmes are work focused and the client must be committed to this goal.
If a health practitioner thinks that a person might benefit from any health service, they should state this on the person’s medical certificate.
Providing Access to Health Services (PATHS)
PATHS is an employment programme for people on either Sickness Benefit or Invalid's Benefit who want to work but need support to achieve their goal.
PATHS may help people access a wide range of health, employment and community services which would assist them to return to work.
The PATHS service is provided through partnerships between:
- Work and Income
- District Health Boards (DHBs)
- Primary Health Organisations (PHOs)
- Community Mental Health Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).
Availability
PATHS is available in the following District Health Board areas:
- Counties Manukau DHB
- Bay of Plenty DHB
- Taranaki DHB
- Whanganui DHB
- Mid Central DHB
- Capital and Coast (Wellington) DHB
- Hutt Valley DHB
- Nelson Marlborough DHB
- Canterbury DHB
- Otago DHB
Targeted Health Interventions (THI)
This service provides funding to help people access single health intervention where PATHS is not available. The person needs a confirmed offer of full-time ongoing employment and must be unable to access the treatment from other publicly funded sources.
The referral process
For a person to be referred to a health and disability service:
- the service must be available in their region
- there should be work opportunities in the local area when the person completes the health service
- they must be willing to participate in the service.
For either service, the person’s medical practitioner must indicate that the service would assist that person move into work. They do this by either:
- noting it on the person’s medical certificate
- discussing it with your local health and disability team.
Contact us
The primary contact for the health and disability sector is the Health and Disability Team. They:
- liaise with general practitioners and other health and disability providers
- provide information about Work and Income such as:
- our processes and expectations
- benefits and eligibility
- the support we can offer clients
- help with communications between service providers and case managers
- provide Work and Income supplies and resources.
To contact your local health and disability team
If you do not have their contact details, please call our General Enquiries number 0800 559 009 and one of our Customer Services Representatives will arrange for them to contact you.
