Getting aids and equipment to help with an injury
If we cover your injury, we can help if you need to use aids and equipment to get on with your everyday tasks. This could be crutches, a wheelchair, hearing aids, glasses or artificial limbs.
On this page
Types of aids and equipment you can get
The type of aids and equipment we can help you with depends on what support you need for your injury.
For example, we can help with:
- hearing aids and batteries
- braille equipment or glasses
- wheelchairs, walking frames or crutches
- specialised chairs or furniture
- voice recognition software
- artificial limbs.
Talk to your health provider about any aids or equipment you might need, and if we can help with them.
What aids and equipment we'll pay for
We'll pay for the aids and equipment you need to recover from your injury. You may have paid some of these costs while waiting to hear if we'll cover your injury. Talk to your recovery team about a possible refund.
How to apply for aids and equipment
You can apply for aids and equipment any time after we’ve accepted cover for your injury.
To apply you can:
- ask your doctor to send us a letter of recommendation. We'll contact you once we get this
- contact our claims team. Have your claim number ready
- fill out the ACC001 form and send it to us by email, or drop it at your local ACC office
- contact your recovery team if you have one
- use MyACC to manage your supports online.
We'll let you know if you need to complete a claimant consent form so we can access your medical records.
Applying on someone else's behalf
If you want to apply for help at home on behalf of someone, you’ll need to get their permission:
Giving someone authority to act on your behalf
Getting your assessment
In some cases, we’ll need more information about your injury and ask you to go for an assessment. We'll pay for the assessment.
The assessment will be completed by:
- your health provider, or
- your health provider will refer you to a specialist.
We'll let you know our decision
Once we receive the assessment report, we'll let you know within 21 days if and what aids and equipment you can get.
If the report shows we can't help, we'll let you know why.
How long it will take to get aids and equipment
We can give you basic equipment within three to five days. More complex equipment may take two to three weeks.
We'll arrange these for you as soon as we approve your application.
How long can I use aids and equipment for?
You can use these aids and equipment for as long as you need them to support your injury. If you don't need your aids or equipment anymore, contact the equipment supplier so they can collect it.
Phone 0800 362 253
Email enable@enable.co.nz
Website Enable New Zealand
Replacing your aids and equipment
If you need to replace your equipment, we may be able to help. We'll let you know if you need to have another assessment.
Call us or talk to your recovery team about your options.
If you need aids and equipment urgently
If you need this support urgently, contact us as soon as possible. We'll organise this for you.
If you've been in hospital
The hospital will provide your equipment for up to six weeks after your discharge. If you think you still need the equipment after the six weeks, talk to us.
Taking equipment overseas
You can take equipment, such as crutches or wheelchairs, with you overseas for as long as you need it. You’ll need to pay any baggage costs to take these with you. Talk to us about your options.
Contact us
If you have any problems or want to know more about how we can help, talk to your recovery team or contact our claims team:
Phone 0800 101 996 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
Email claims@acc.co.nz
Send us your application
If you live in Northland, Auckland, Waikato or Bay of Plenty:
ACC Hamilton Hub
PO Box 952
Hamilton 3240
If you live in Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, Hawke's Bay, Wellington or the South Island:
ACC Dunedin Hub
PO Box 408
Dunedin 9054