Work and Income may be able to help with counselling fees and travel to counselling through the Disability Allowance. You do not need to be receiving a benefit to apply. Approval and the amount paid depend on your circumstances.
Students can apply through StudyLink. Other applications are made through Work and Income.
What the Disability Allowance can cover
The Disability Allowance is a weekly, non-taxable payment for regular, ongoing costs caused by a health condition or disability. Counselling fees and transport to 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 calculates the amount from your verified costs and circumstances.
Fortnightly example: a counselling session costing $165.70 every two weeks averages $82.85 a week, so it can fit within the weekly maximum if approved and if no part of the allowance is already being used for other disability-related costs. A higher fee, or other approved costs using part of the allowance, may leave an amount for the client to pay.
Transport to counselling
Disability Allowance may also help with regular travel to approved counselling when the counselling is directly related to the health condition or disability. Counselling fees and transport costs are counted together within the overall maximum Disability Allowance of $82.85 a week.
| Vehicle engine size | Allowable running cost |
|---|---|
| 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 |
For a private vehicle, Work and Income needs the engine size and distance travelled. These rates cover running costs such as petrol and oil; they do not include fixed costs such as registration, insurance or a Warrant of Fitness.
- Public transport or taxi users should keep tickets or receipts.
- Public transport is generally preferred where available and suitable. A Community Services Card may provide a 50% Community Connect discount.
- A medical or nurse practitioner must confirm that the travel is an additional, ongoing cost related to the health condition or disability.
- Transport can normally be included only for counselling sessions that the Disability Allowance is helping to fund.
Check the current Work and Income transport-cost guidance, as mileage rates and rules can change.
Who may qualify
- 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 that are not fully covered by another agency.
- Your income, and your partner’s income if applicable, is within the relevant limit.
- The counsellor or psychologist meets Work and Income’s professional registration or membership requirements.
You can apply for yourself, your partner or a child. Work and Income makes the final eligibility decision.
Current weekly income limits
The following limits apply from 1 April 2026 and are before tax:
| 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 |
Rates and limits can change. Check the official Work and Income page before applying.
How many counselling sessions are covered?
For a first counselling application, Work and Income may approve up to 10 sessions. If you need more, you can apply again and a health practitioner must recommend the additional counselling. Work and Income will write to you when the approved sessions are finished.
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 counselling.
How to apply
- Contact Work and Income, or StudyLink if you are a student, as early as possible and tell them you want to apply for Disability Allowance for counselling.
- Use the right Disability Allowance application pathway: 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. Sections must be completed by you, your medical or nurse practitioner, and your counsellor.
- Provide proof of the counselling cost and any related transport costs.
- Submit the completed documents as directed by Work and Income. New clients can begin through the online application; existing clients should follow the instructions for their current Disability Allowance status.
If you need more than 10 sessions
Complete a new Disability Certificate – Counselling and ask your health practitioner to confirm that further counselling is necessary and of therapeutic value. Your counsellor also completes their section. Work and Income will decide whether further sessions can be included.
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.
Payment and privacy
The Disability Allowance is normally paid into your bank account with any other Work and Income payments. Counsellors NZ does not require you to redirect your benefit payment to us. Please discuss fees and payment arrangements with your counsellor before your first appointment.
Information checked against official Work and Income and StudyLink guidance on 25 August 2026. This page is general guidance only; Work and Income or StudyLink will assess your individual circumstances.