10 August 2022

Patsy Hill
[FYI request #19896 email]

Tēnā koe Patsy Hill

On  13 July 2022,  you emailed the Ministry of Social Development (the
Ministry) through the FYI website requesting, under the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
•  I would like to know how standard food costs for gluten free foods are
obtained for disability allowance rate purposes, and what these rates
are.
•  I would also like to know what evidence was used in determining these
rates, when they have been reviewed, and what methods there are to
achieve consistency across Aotearoa for all those with health
conditions that require them to follow a gluten free diet.
The Ministry has interpreted your request for information regarding rates to
relate to the amount paid for special food costs through the Disability
Allowance (DA).
DA provides non-taxable assistance to people who have on-going, additional
costs because of a disability. DA provides assistance for a number of costs,
including the additional costs of special foods that a person needs because of
their disability. The maximum amount payable per week for DA is $70.04.
The amount paid to each client is estimated in relation to the actual costs
that have been, or will be, incurred on a regular basis. Every DA application
is  assessed  based  on  the  guidelines  available  on  the  Work  and  Income
website.
The cost of special foods can be included in a client’s DA payment if they are:
•  For additional food or food supplements beyond  most people’s
everyday needs
•  Above usual food costs (for example soya milk costs more than cow’s
milk), and

•  Part of a diet supervised by a registered dietician.
For a client to have special foods included in their DA, they must first meet
all other relevant qualifications for DA. You can read more about the
qualifications and payment of DA here:
www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income-support/extra-help/disability-
allowance/index.html.
A  health practitioner must verify that the special food costs are additional,
ongoing, is beneficial and of therapeutic value and are related to the client’s
disability. The client must provide a DA Disability Certificate completed and
signed by a registered medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or dietician,
and proof of their food costs.
The diet or special food must be confirmed as not being funded, subsidised,
or provided by health authorities. For further information about specific food
items funded through PHARMAC, please see:
www.schedule.pharmac.govt.nz/ScheduleOnline.php.
When a client applies for assistance for gluten-free food costs, Ministry staff
generally need to see comparable receipts or quotes for gluten-free and non-
gluten free foods. This calculation can be completed by using a supermarket
online shopping website for the lowest price standard product, compared to
the cost of the special food item that the health practitioner has specified.
The formula used by Ministry staff when determining additional food costs
can
be
found
on
the
Work
and
Income
website,
here:
www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income-support/extra-help/disability-
allowance/assessing-additional-food-costs-01.html.
A client’s DA entitlement and eligibility can be reviewed for different reasons.
For example, if a client advises the Ministry of a change in circumstances or
costs, the Ministry may request additional information or evidence to
determine whether this affects the client’s rate of payment. Additionally, DA
can be  reviewed through the ‘Confirming Your Circumstances’ form. This
form allows the Ministry to determine whether the client’s entitlement or
eligibility has changed. More information about changes and reviews to DA
can be found here: www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income-support/extra-
help/disability-allowance/changes-and-reviews-disability-allowance/changes-
and-reviews.html.
The principles and purposes of the Official Information Act 1982 under which
you made your request are:
•  to  create  greater  openness  and  transparency  about  the  plans,  work
and activities of the Government,
•  to  increase  the  ability  of  the  public  to  participate  in  the  making  and
administration of our laws and policies and
•  to lead to greater accountability in the conduct of public affairs.
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This Ministry fully supports those principles and purposes. The Ministry
therefore  intends  to  make  the  information  contained  in  this  letter  and  any
attached documents available to the wider public. The Ministry will do this by
publishing this letter on the Ministry’s website. Your personal details will be
deleted, and the Ministry will not publish any information that would identify
you as the person who requested the information.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email].
If you are not satisfied with this response regarding the costs of special foods
through the Disability Allowance, you have the right to seek an investigation
and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to make a complaint
is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
Bridget Saunders
Manager Issues Resolution
Service Delivery
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Document Outline