The WINZ counselling form is the Disability Certificate – Counselling, used when applying to Work and Income for help with counselling fees and travel through the Disability Allowance. You do not need to receive a benefit to apply. Approval and the amount depend on your circumstances.
Students apply through StudyLink. Everyone else applies through Work and Income. Counsellors New Zealand is not Work and Income and cannot decide eligibility, but this page explains the process in plain terms.
What is the WINZ counselling form?
The form is called the Disability Certificate – Counselling. It sits alongside your Disability Allowance application and gives Work and Income the information it needs about your counselling.
Sections are completed by you, your medical or nurse practitioner, and your counsellor. The practitioner confirms the health condition or disability and that counselling is needed. The counsellor completes their own section about the counselling.
Forms are updated from time to time, so use the link above or the Work and Income website rather than a copy saved elsewhere.
Does Work and Income pay for counselling?
Work and Income may help with counselling fees and travel through the Disability Allowance. It is a weekly, non-taxable payment for regular, ongoing costs caused by a health condition or disability. Counselling may be included when the costs are not fully covered by another agency, such as ACC or Oranga Tamariki.
From 1 April 2026, the maximum Disability Allowance is $82.85 a week. This is the maximum across all approved disability-related costs, not a guaranteed counselling payment. Work and Income works out the amount from your verified costs and circumstances.
For example, a session costing $165.70 every two weeks averages $82.85 a week. That can fit within the maximum if approved and if the allowance is not already used for other costs. A higher fee may leave an amount for you to pay.
Who may qualify?
Work and Income makes the final decision. These are the general conditions it lists:
- You are aged 16 or older and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- The health condition or disability is likely to last at least 6 months from diagnosis.
- Counselling is needed because of that condition or disability.
- You have regular, ongoing counselling costs not fully covered by another agency.
- Your income, and your partner’s if applicable, is within the relevant limit.
- The counsellor or psychologist meets Work and Income’s professional registration or membership requirements.
What are the weekly income limits?
These limits apply from 1 April 2026 and are before tax. They can change, so check the official Work and Income page before you apply.
| Your situation | Weekly income limit |
|---|---|
| Single, 16–17 years | $696.60 |
| Single, 18 years or older | $870.00 |
| Couple, with or without children | $1,295.11 |
| Sole parent with 1 child | $971.51 |
| Sole parent with 2 or more children | $1,023.59 |
Does the Disability Allowance cover travel to counselling?
It may help with regular travel to approved counselling when the counselling relates directly to the health condition or disability. Fees and transport count together within the overall weekly maximum.
For a private vehicle, Work and Income needs the engine size and the distance travelled. The rates cover running costs such as petrol and oil, not registration, insurance or a Warrant of Fitness. Rates were checked on 25 August 2026.
Public transport is generally preferred where it is available and suitable. Keep tickets or receipts if you use public transport or taxis. A Community Services Card may provide a 50% Community Connect discount. A medical or nurse practitioner must confirm the travel is an additional, ongoing cost. Transport can normally be included only for sessions the allowance is helping to fund. Check the current transport-cost guidance, as rates and rules can change.
- Up to 1000 cc: 29 cents per km
- 1001–1350 cc: 30 cents per km
- 1351–2000 cc: 35 cents per km
- Over 2000 cc: 40 cents per km
How do I apply, step by step?
Contact Work and Income, or StudyLink if you are a student, as early as you can. Tell them you want to apply for the Disability Allowance for counselling. Then follow these steps.
- Choose the right application. Existing Work and Income clients can download the Disability Allowance application form (S03). New clients, or people receiving only childcare payments, can apply online through MyMSD or use the Extra Help application form.
- Complete the Disability Certificate – Counselling, with sections filled in by you, your medical or nurse practitioner and your counsellor.
- Gather proof of the counselling cost and any related transport costs.
- Submit everything as Work and Income directs. Existing clients should follow the instructions for their current Disability Allowance status.
How many counselling sessions are covered?
For a first application, Work and Income may approve up to 10 sessions. It will write to you when the approved sessions are finished.
If you need more, apply again with a new Disability Certificate – Counselling. Your health practitioner must confirm that further counselling is necessary and of therapeutic value, and your counsellor completes their section. Work and Income decides whether more sessions can be included.
The allowance does not cover counselling unrelated to the health condition or disability, counselling already provided without charge through another service, or childcare while you attend.
How is ACC different?
ACC funding and the Disability Allowance are separate pathways. The Disability Allowance may help when costs are not fully covered by another agency such as ACC. If your counselling relates to an ACC claim, ask ACC how it applies to you before applying to Work and Income.
If you are unsure which pathway fits, Work and Income or ACC can explain their own criteria.
Payment, privacy and working with Counsellors NZ
The Disability Allowance is normally paid into your bank account with any other Work and Income payments. Counsellors New Zealand does not require you to redirect your benefit payment to us. Please talk about fees and payment arrangements with your counsellor before your first appointment.
If you are working with Counsellors NZ, you can email the partly completed form to admin@counsellors.co.nz for the counsellor section. Do not email medical information unless you are comfortable using email for that purpose.
When you are ready, you can find a counsellor at your own pace.
If you need support right now
You can call or text 1737 at any time to talk with a trained counsellor. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
Information on this page was checked against official Work and Income and StudyLink guidance on 25 August 2026. It is general guidance only; Work and Income or StudyLink will assess your individual circumstances.
Common questions
Do I need to be on a benefit to get help with counselling costs?
No. You do not need to receive a benefit to apply for the Disability Allowance. Your income must be within the relevant limit, and Work and Income decides each application.
Who fills in the WINZ counselling form?
Sections are completed by you, your medical or nurse practitioner, and your counsellor. Work and Income lists the professional requirements the counsellor must meet.
How do students apply for counselling help?
Students apply through StudyLink rather than Work and Income. Contact StudyLink and tell them you want to apply for the Disability Allowance for counselling.
What if I need more than 10 sessions?
Apply again with a new Disability Certificate – Counselling. Your health practitioner must recommend further counselling, and Work and Income decides whether to include it.