New developments in mum's battle for disability allowance

  • 20/04/2016
New developments in mum's battle for disability allowance

There's finally some good news for the mother who was recently told her daughter's disability allowance was turned down a year ago because Work and Income lost her documents.

Jacine Greaves says Work and Income has agreed to grant the disability allowance for her 8-year-old daughter, Josephine, who has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Since the Greaves' story ran on Newshub last Saturday, Work and Income have already compensated Mrs Greaves for the petrol costs involved in taking Josephine to and from Starship Hospital. This has been backdated to the family's initial application in April last year.

"I'm a lot more positive. I couldn't believe how fast they did everything," said Mrs Greaves.

She says prescription printouts for the past year are currently being sent to Work and Income. Once they are received, the family will also be compensated for the medicine and treatment they have paid for over the past year.

"Even just now, we feel so much less stressed. I now know we are able to do everything a family should be able to do. We will be able to provide the necessities they need."

The Greaves had already been receiving the child disability allowance, which is in recognition of the extra care involved in caring for a child with a serious disability.

However, their application for a disability allowance to cover medical costs, prescriptions and travel had been declined and Mrs Greaves says she was told recently it was because Work and Income had lost the documents she provided to prove these costs.

In a statement received on Friday, Work and Income's Regional Commissioner Blair McKenzie acknowledges there is more they could do to help.

"The family is facing a range of issues, and the Ministry of Social Development is working to ensure the family are receiving the right assistance and right supports -- especially with the vulnerable children involved."

Read more: Mum fuming after disability allowance turned down 

Newshub.