IN-CONFIDENCE

Kia ora M.R.M

I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 20 Nov 2025.

We have transferred your request to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This is because information to which your request relates is not held by us but is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of MSD.

In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the OIA to transfer your request.

You will hear further from MSD concerning request in due course.

Ngā mihi
Sophie
Ministerial and Executive Services team
Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha
-----Original Message-----
From: M.R.M. <[FOI #32936 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 20 November 2025 12:29 pm
To: OIA_requests (WHAIKAHA) <[Ministry for Disabled People request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Disabled people unable to visit Work and Income Service Centres

[You don't often get email from [FOI #32936 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

Dear Ministry for Disabled People,

Where a person (who is either not yet a client of the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre, or, is already a client of the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre) has submitted an application for a benefit by e-mail and also by post, and has been advised by the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre in response that they must attend an in person / face to face interview at a designated Work and Income Service Centre, but, they are not able to do this because of serious and disabling health reasons, I am requesting that you provide me with;

1. A copy or copies of all of the relevant laws, regulations, directives, policies, procedures, etc. regarding how The Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre must deal with the disabled person to assist them in getting their application properly and timeously processed, assessed and granted or declined.

2. A copy or copies of all of the relevant laws, regulations, directives, policies, procedures, etc. that empower and/or authorise and/or otherwise permit the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre to ignore a person who has requested in writing that they be allowed to have a telephone conversation or Zoom conference call instead of attending an in person / face to face interview because of serious and disabling health reasons..

3. A copy or copies of all of the relevant laws, regulations, directives, policies, procedures, etc. that empower and/or authorise and/or otherwise permit the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre to ignore a person who has submitted a G.P.'s Medical Certificate that confirms they are "very unwell", "not able to have any appointment with" a medical professional, and, who says "I am writing this letter to request (xxx) appointment with Work and Income NZ be done as a phone call ...".

4. A copy or copies of all of the relevant laws, regulations, directives, policies, procedures, etc. that empower and/or authorise and/or otherwise permit the Ministry of Social Development / a Work and Income Service Centre to decide that an application has "lapsed".

Yours faithfully,

M.R.M.

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