Stopping work because of health condition or disability
If you have to stop work because of a health condition, injury or disability we may be able to help you.
Talk to your health practitioner
You'll need a medical certificate from your health practitioner, eg your doctor, to tell us how your health condition or disability affects your ability to work.
Some health practitioners send us medical certificates electronically. If you already have a Work and Income client number, make sure they include that on the certificate.
If your health practitioner doesn't send your medical certificate electronically, you'll need to send it to us.
What you can get
Have to stop work for a while or reduce hours
You have a health condition or disability that affects your ability to work. This means that you have to reduce your hours or stop work for a while. We may still be able to help if you have a job to go back to.
Sole parent
You're a sole parent with children under 14 and have a health condition or disability that affects your ability to work.
Permanently unable to work
You're permanently and severely restricted in your ability to work because of a health condition, injury or disability, or are legally blind.
You've had to stop work and your partner is working
You're down to one wage and you need help to pay day-to-day expenses while you look for work.
Working and have no sick leave or paid leave
You're not on a benefit anymore and you can't work because of sickness or a breakdown in childcare arrangements. You don't have any sick leave or paid leave available.
New Employment Transition Grant
You can't work for a while because you have a health condition or disability which affects your ability to work, and you have no sick pay available.
Unsure of what you'll be able to get
Use "Check what you might get" to find out what help you could qualify for.