1 February 2018

Bill to support kiwis who need ACC cover drawn

National MP Melissa Lee’s Member’s Bill, the Accident Compensation (Recent Migrants and Returning New Zealanders) Amendment Bill will ensure financial support for migrants and returning New Zealanders who have suffered an accident and are unable to work.

“My Bill would fix an anomaly which prohibits migrants and returning New Zealanders from receiving ACC support once they reach superannuation age – even if they are still unable to work as a result of their injury,” Ms Lee says.

“This is because the weekly compensation that ACC provides to claimants currently ceases once a person reaches the New Zealand Superannuation qualification age on the basis they are now receiving superannuation, however that leaves those that may not meet the requirement for superannuation left without support.

“That means there are a number of returning New Zealanders, migrants and citizens who are not eligible for weekly compensation because they cannot currently qualify for the residential criteria.

“This is unfair because these are people who have lived and worked in New Zealand who, through no fault of their own, suffer an injury as a result of an accident which means they can’t work causing them to rely on support from ACC to get by.

“The Accident Compensation (Recent Migrants and Returning New Zealanders) Amendment Bill will amend the Act to allow continuing ACC weekly compensation for this group, until such time as they meet eligibility for superannuation.

“It is important that this gap in ACC provision is filled to ensure support for people when they are at their most vulnerable.

“I look forward to the Bill’s introduction in the House and the debate in Parliament over the next few weeks.”

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