Quick Exit Find Support
Home
Claims and redress
How do I make a claim?
ACC cover for survivors of abuse in care
What support and financial help might ACC provide?

What support and financial help might ACC provide?

Hero banner
Last updated: January 28, 2025

ACC can help pay for counselling and therapy services

If you have experienced sexual violence, ACC can fund up to 14 hours of therapy and up to 30 hours of other support services (for example, services for your family and whānau so they can learn how to support you).  

This support for survivors is fully funded (free to you). 

Find out more about finding a therapist and lodging a sensitive claim with ACCopen_in_new. 

Once your therapist has lodged an ACC claim for you, you can start whenever you are ready. You do not have to wait until ACC accepts your claim.  

We have learned from survivors that therapy can be difficult for people in prison to access, as therapists needs to visit the prison in person.

After your initial sessions, if your therapist thinks you need ongoing support, they will prepare a Cover and Wellbeing Plan. To help them make the plan, they will ask you some questions and ask you to fill out a questionnaire. 

Your therapist may recommend that you have a Specialist Cover Assessment. For example, ACC may need you to do this assessment if you want to receive financial support (such as weekly compensation payments).

The focus of this assessment should be on the impact of the abuse. You should only need to talk about the abuse events so the assessor can connect them with the injuries, symptoms or other impacts.

Learn more about the support ACC provides for sexual abuse and assault.open_in_new

If you have had a physical injury, ACC can help pay up to 10 counselling sessions  

Once approved, ACC can contribute towards the cost of up to 10 counselling sessions. You may have to pay for part of your sessions. 

Find out more about counselling support from ACCopen_in_new.  

You may be able to get support services to assist with your recovery 

ACC offers different support services to assist with your recovery. Depending on your injury-related needs and eligibility, you might be able to get support services such as: 

  • aids and equipment (for example, physio, occupational assistance, household assistance and transport assistance)
  • culturally responsive services, such as Rongoā Māoriopen_in_new.   

Learn more about ongoing support optionsopen_in_new that might be available.  

You may be able to get financial support 

If ACC covers your injury, and it is preventing you from working, ACC may be able to provide financial support. 

Learn more about the financial support ACC can provideopen_in_new.