NEW ZEALAND COLLECTIVE OF
ABUSED IN STATE CARE CHARITABLE TRUST
NZCAST
Getting help from ACC.
Outside of the claim process, ACC has other potential compensation measures in place for those that suffered abuse in State Care, including helping pay for counselling and therapy sessions. These focus on the impact the abuse had on your life, and capacity to work. The first step is engaging with a therapist. Due to the nature of claims, we typically encourage finding a psychologist, rather than a counsellor or psychiatrist.
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Need help finding a therapist?
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Phone ACC on 0800 735 566 (Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm)
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In cases where survivors of abuse in care have developed long-term mental or physical health conditions as a result of that abuse These claims may provide additional support and compensation. These claims cover mental injuries related to experiences such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that occurred while you were in care. The claim will require evidence of how the abuse has affected your mental or physical health over time. Your health professional will work with you to provide this information to ACC.
Note: Towards the end of 2024, ACC will be phasing in a new sensitive issue claimants process.
For general queries about sensitive claims:
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Email: sensitiveclaims@acc.co.nz
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Phone: 0800 735 566
In cases where survivors of abuse in care have developed long-term mental or physical health conditions as a result of that abuse These claims may provide additional support and compensation.
If you have experienced abuse that led to long-term psychological or physical harm, you may be eligible for a PID claim under ACC. This claim covers mental injuries related to experiences such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that occurred while you were in care.
The claim will require evidence of how the abuse has affected your mental or physical health over time. Your health professional will work with you to provide this information to ACC.
Loss of Potential Earnings (LOPE) is financial compensation provided to those who, because of the abuse they experienced, are unable to work or whose earning capacity has been significantly reduced.
To apply for LOPE, you will need a thorough assessment, which often involves working with health professionals and ACC to evaluate the long-term impact of the abuse on your ability to work. The assessment can be very long, taking some people years to be assessed.
Speak with your therapist or counselor about your eligibility for LOPE. ACC will need medical evidence of how your abuse has impacted your life and your earning capacit
Navigation Services
In late 2024, ACC contracted independent navigation services to help with the complex, convoluted nature of ACC. The services differ on the region, and if you identify as Māori.
ACC Survivor Support Group
If you need peer support, and want to connect with people who have had similar experiences with ACC