Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/32937-disabled-people-unable-to-visit-work-and-income-service-centres on January 02, 2026 18:19

Disabled people unable to visit Work and Income Service Centres

M.R.M. made this Official Information request to Ministry of Social Development

Response to this request is delayed. By law, Ministry of Social Development should normally have responded promptly and by (details and exceptions)

From: M.R.M.

Dear Ministry of Social Development,

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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From: OIA_Requests (MSD)
Ministry of Social Development

IN-CONFIDENCE

Tēnā koe M.R.M.

Thank you for your two emails received 20 November 2025, under the Official Information Act 1982. We have received an additional request transferred from Whaikaha on 20 November 2025. Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate officials at National Office to respond.

The information you have requested may contain the names and contact details of our staff. Please let us know by 21 November 2025 whether you require these names and contact details. We will need to consult our staff before deciding whether we can release this information, and this will take a bit more time. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that you do not require staff names and contact details.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Official Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministry of Social Development

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to help themselves to be safe, strong and independent
Ko ta mātou he whakamana tangata kia tū haumaru, kia tū kaha, kia tū motuhake

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From: OIA_Requests (MSD)
Ministry of Social Development

IN-CONFIDENCE
Dear M.R.M,
 
I am writing to you regarding your request for information below.
 
This email is to advise you that the Ministry requires more time to
respond to this request. In accordance with section 15(1) and 15A of the
Official Information Act, the Ministry’s decision will be with you by 28
January 2026.
 
The reason for the extension is that consultations necessary to make a
decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request
cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.
 
Please note that over the holiday period, there are three weeks that are
not classified as working days. In accordance with Section 2 of the
Official Information Act 1982, this period is 25 December 2024 to 15
January 2025 (inclusive).
 
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
 
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this
decision, please feel free to contact [2][MSD request email]
 
I will respond to you sooner if I am able to.
 
Ngâ mihi,
 
Official Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministry of Social Development
 
Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whânau
 
 
 

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