Accidental Death Support Policy v7.0
Summary
Objective
Use this guidance when determining eligibility to support under an accidental death claim.
1. Support we provide
2. Eligibility for support
3. Spouse or partner
4. Child
5. Other dependent
6. Becoming a dependent to qualify for support
7. Overseas dependents
Owner
9(2)(a)
Expert
9(2)(a)
Policy
1.0 Support we provide
a The types of support we can provide include:
• funeral grants
• survivor’s grant
• childcare payments
• weekly compensation.
2.0 Eligibility for support
a In the case of an accidental death, people can apply for support on the basis of their relationship with the deceased person.
b The applicant must be either:
• a spouse or partner of the deceased
• a child of the deceased
• an ‘other dependant’ of the deceased.
3.0 Spouse or partner
a Someone who qualifies as a spouse or partner of the deceased:
• is eligible for a survivor’s grant
• may be eligible for weekly compensation, if the deceased was an earner, potential earner, or receiving weekly compensation,
at date of death
If there is more than one spouse or partner, each spouse or partner is only eligible for one evenly split share of the survivor’s
grant.
Who is a spouse or partner of the deceased?
under the Official Information Act 1982
https://go.promapp.com/accnz/Process/dbd88cdf-8aef-4fd5-89ac-003fbc34e9a5?
Survivor's grant
https://go.promapp.com/accnz/Process/f2be6ca6-db7e-477e-bb04-f23045152841?force=False
4.0 Child
a Depending on their age, someone who qualifies as a child of the deceased may be eligible for the following:
• a survivor’s grant
• may be eligible for weekly compensation, if the deceased was an earner, potential earner, or receiving weekly compensation,
Released
at date of death
• childcare, if they meet further criteria
Who is a child of the deceased?
https://go.promapp.com/accnz/Process/21d49251-1e42-4939-bb63-34b162509213
Childcare
https://go.promapp.com/accnz/Process/c5e5b5aa-7bc3-4d60-940f-ea3c5725018c
ACC > Claims Management > Manage Client Payments > Operational Policies > Accidental Death Entitlements > Accidental Death Support Policy
Uncontrolled Copy Only : Version 7.0 : Last Edited Tuesday, August 25, 2020 9:19 AM : Printed Friday, February 19, 2021 2:05 PM
Page 1 of 2
5.0 Other dependant
a Someone who qualifies as an other dependant:
• is eligible for a survivor’s grant
• may be eligible for weekly compensation, if the deceased was an earner, potential earner, or receiving weekly compensation,
at date of death
A child of the deceased who qualifies as an ‘other dependant’ is not eligible for childcare.
Who is an Other dependant of the Deceased? Policy
Eligibility for weekly compensation for accidental death claims
https://go.promapp.com/accnz/Process/95cc0e92-9789-4aa7-a9b3-5c48e0d7435a?force=False
6.0 Becoming a dependant to qualify for support
1982
a If someone became a dependant in order to qualify for support, they are not eligible for any accidental death entitlements. ACC
makes a decision based on the evidence available.
This is a sensitive issue, proceed with care.
Act
If information indicates that someone became a dependant mainly to qualify for support, then Go to the relevant Note on the
Request Proof of Relationship for Fatal Claims procedure Activity 4.0 a.
Request Proof of Relationship for Fatal Claims
https://go.promapp.com/accnz/Process/Minimode/Permalink/7uuOkO9TVjRTPcNwk12wk
AC Act 2001, Schedule 1, Clause 75.
https://www.westlaw.co.nz/maf/wlnz/app/document?
startChunk=1&rnd=0.603196718535497&lawlink=&endChunk=1&casecite=&docguid=Ifd6788153b3d11e18eefa443f8998
8a0
7.0 Overseas dependants
Information
a Accidental death claimants may be eligible for the support, even if:
• the deceased was an overseas visitor to New Zealand. The claim has cover because the injury occurred in New Zealand
• the death occurred overseas. The claim has cover if the deceased qualifies as a person who is ordinarily resident in New
Zealand.
Dependants are only eligible for weekly compensation if the deceased had earnings that were taxable in New Zealand. This
Official
applies even if the spouse or partner lives outside New Zealand.
A child will only be eligible for childcare if they live in New Zealand.
Cover for visitors to New Zealand the
https://go.promapp.com/accnz/Process/c58edd4f-09ea-4d31-a6fa-3ff1b2ef05ff
Cover for injuries suffered outside New Zealand
https://go.promapp.com/accnz/Process/7852bc05-eabc-4023-a1a9-473140973dc5
under
Released
ACC > Claims Management > Manage Client Payments > Operational Policies > Accidental Death Entitlements > Accidental Death Support Policy
Uncontrolled Copy Only : Version 7.0 : Last Edited Tuesday, August 25, 2020 9:19 AM : Printed Friday, February 19, 2021 2:05 PM
Page 2 of 2
