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.

Dear Ministry of Social Development,

You were legally required to respond to my information request on or before 18 December 2025. Instead I have rudely been ignored and with no explanation forthcoming as to why you have failed to comply with the Official Information Act.

I am giving you until close of business Friday 2 January 2026 to provide me with all of the requested information. Should you again fail to do this I will complain to the Ombudsman.

Yours faithfully,

M.R.M.