Modifications to your workplace
Your employee may be able to get help to pay for equipment or changes to their work space due to their disability or health condition. This is paid through Job Support Funds.
Who can get it
Your employee may get funding for workplace modifications or equipment through Job Support Funds if they:
- have a disability or a health condition that is likely to last for more than 6 months
- are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- aren't getting support from ACC or the Ministry of Health
- normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here
- are aged 16 to 65 years old.
You or your business must also have:
- checked for alternative funding options, eg through the Ministry of Health or ACC
- sought professional advice, if necessary, e.g. from either a:
- occupational therapist
- disability agency advisor
- support professional.
What you can get
The most your employee can apply for is up to $10,000, including GST, in a 52 week period. It can pay for things like:
- ramps
- handrails
- visual aids.
It can't pay for:
- training
- work experience
- temporary employment
- modifications or equipment that you would need to provide if your employee wasn't disabled
- modifications to a building where you already have a legal obligation to provide access for disabled people, e.g. in new buildings or where the building is undergoing renovations
- items for personal mobility only.
The application process
Your employee must apply for Job Support Funds. They can find more information and the application form on the Job and Training Support Funds page:
Job and Training Support Funds
What happens next
Once your employee has applied for Job Support Funds, you'll:
- be contacted to arrange for someone to come and assess your workplace
- be given an application form to complete
- need to get a quote for the modifications or equipment your employee needs (if your quote is for more than $1,500, then you'll need to get 3 quotes).
What you need to do:
- Email your completed application form to us at support_Funds@msd.govt.nz
- Arrange access to your workplace for assessments, if required
- Get quotes for the modifications or equipment, and email these to support_Funds@msd.govt.nz
After this has been done we will contact you and your employee. We'll let you know if your application has been approved, and if you start the modifications or buy the equipment.