Disability Allowance and Special Foods
Applications for Special Foods are not always straighforward
and every case and situation will be assessed on its own
merits.
Applying for Special Foods
You must meet the criteria for Disability Allowance (DA) in order to be eligible
for Special Foods support (Disability Allowance - Work and Income)
• Your relevant health condition or disability must be expected to last at
least 6 months or more, and your request must relate to that disability.
• Your DA form must be completed by a Medical or Nurse Practitioner
• Your diet must be approved and supervised by a Registered Dietitian
(usually through Te Whatu Ora, or MSD may help fund one if needed)
• The normal limits of DA will apply and any other costs you already have
under DA may impact the amount you have available for Special Foods
What does not meet DA criteria
DA does not cover the normal cost of healthy eating
• It does not cover everyday products such as fruits and vegetables
• It does not cover costs of a self-imposed or chosen diet or lifestyle
• It does not cover costs where they are already met by another party
What does meet DA criteria
MSD funds the
difference only between a special food item and its
non-special equivalent i.e. normal milk vs lactose free milk, gluten
free bread vs wheat containing bread
• Reasonable amounts of usage per week, except where the
disability and resulting diet specifically indicate increased
amounts of a type of food
• Treats (snack foods, biscuits etc) are an allowable item within
reasonable limits
• The difference only for foods subsidised or funded by another
party such as Te Whatu Ora i.e. Enusre, Fortisip
Example: If normal milk was $3.22 for 1 litre and lactose free milk was
$4.90 you can
apply for the difference of $1.68
Common foods for specific diets which may be supported as
Special Foods under Disability Allowance.
This
is not an exhaustive list and you may have additional dietary needs.
Low or No Gluten
For example: Coeliac disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome/Disease, Wheat allergy,
Autoimmune Disease/ Inflammatory Disorder
• Gluten free flours incl. Almond,
• Gluten free biscuits
Tapioca, Coconut
• Gluten free breadcrumbs
• Gluten free cereal or breakfast
• Gluten free soy sauce
mueslis
• Gluten free baked beans,
• Gluten free bread/wraps/rolls/
spaghetti
buns/pizza bases/muffins
• Gluten free crackers/crisp bread
• Gluten free pasta incl. rice,
• Gluten free condiments –
• Gluten free snack bars and snack
gravy’s/pastes/stock cubes
foods
Low or no sugar
For example: diabetes, weightloss, specific sugar intolerances
• whole grains i.e
• Low-fat Margarine
• Lean meats above
cornmeal, barley,
• Low-sugar Jam
normal consumption
quinoa
• Sugar Alternatives
levels (chicken, fish)
• Tinned fruit - in
• Reduced fat milk,
natural juice
cheese, yoghurt.
High iron (where consumption level is above normal weekly levels)
For example: iron-deficient anaemia, pregnancy-related anaemia
• Meat
• Spinach
• Citrus fruit (to aid iron
• Eggs
• Silverbeet
absorption
Low or no dairy
For example: allergy to protein found in dairy and / or allergy to sugars found in
milk)
• Milk Alternative – soy, rice, almond, • Cheese alternative – yeast flakes,
or coconut or lactose free milk
hard cheese or lactose free cheese
• Yoghurt Alternative - soy, coconut or • Butter / Margarine alternatives
almond yoghurt.
• Dairy-free ice cream or sorbet
• Soy Products such as tofu or tempe
• Dairy-free chocolate / treats
High protein / high energy (consumption level above normal levels of
protein / energy requirements)
For example: renal diet/cancer or failure to thrive in children.
NB: It is recommended that high protein diet must come with dietitian
reco
mmendation and plan.
• Chicken
• Nuts
• Icecream
• Red Meat
• Eggs Cheese
• Milk
• Fish
• Custards
• Butter.
• Chickpeas / beans
• Yogurt
Cognitive, mental health or sensory disorders (where consumption is above
standard weekly levels)
For example: dementia, autism (ASD), ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury, sensory
processing disorder.
• High omega-3 foods i.e. fish, salmon, tuna
• Nuts
• High quality olive oil
Be mindful that people with specific sensory issues related to their disorder may
require foods with specific textures /smells /colors / touch as part of their sensory
response.
Ketogenic diet for Epilepsy (high fat to carbohydrate / protein ratio)
(Consumption above standard weekly levels)
For example: children with focal seizures, infantile spasms, Rett syndrome, Dravet
syndrome, GLUT-1 deficiency
• butter
• avocado
• cream
• canola /olive oils
• mayonnaise
• ice cream
Chemical Sensitivity:
For example: multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) disagnosis including sensitivity to
pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, disinfectants, aritifcial colorings, flavourings and
other food additives
• Base level of organic foods (may include fruits and vegetables depending on
level of sensitivity to food sprays etc)
• Foods with limited or no additives
For more information about your eligibility visit
Disability Allowance - Work and Income
