It can be helpful to get support if ACC has declined your claim. Find out about support that is available.
You can contact the ACC person listed on your decision letter and ask for more details about why the decision was made.
If you are not happy about why ACC did not accept your claim, you could:
An independent review means ACC will take another look at decisions they made about your claim.
ACC pays for the costs of the review process but if you ask a lawyer for advice, or bring one to the meetings or hearings, you will need to pay for their services.
You can apply for an independent review within three months of ACC’s decision (this will be on the decision letter from ACC).
There are situations where ACC may accept a late application, for example if your injury meant you could not apply in time. If you submit a late application, a Review Specialist will seek further information from you when considering if they can accept it.
To apply for an independent review, you can fill out a form or write them a letter.
Download the Application for an Independent Review ACC33open_in_new (Word, 122KB)
If you write them a letter, include these details:
If you are making a late application (it has been more than three months since the decision), include an explanation of why it is late.
Email: accreviewapplication@acc.co.nz Post:
ACC Resolution Services PO Box 892 Waikato Mail Centre Hamilton 3240
Once ACC has received your application there are three stages to ACC’s review:
Learn more about independent reviews of ACC decisionsopen_in_new
Mediation is when you and ACC meet together to try to resolve the problem, with an mediator present to guide both parties. ACC calls this Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
You can use it to help resolve any dispute you have with ACC (not just when you want to challenge an ACC decision).
Mediation with ACC is free (ACC pays the costs).
You can start mediation even if you have applied for an independent review of the ACC decision, or if an independent review has begun.
To apply for mediation, call ACC on 0800 650 222 and ask for Alternative Dispute Resolution.