Acc help

I'm currently on ACC and get home help and childcare assistance, after surgery on my wrist a couple of weeks ago. I have childcare from 8.30-10am each morning (so to help get them dressed/have breakfast/me to have a shower) and then from 6-7.30pm (bath, bottle and bed). I could choose my times, so could have got more help but I hate asking for help My lady is awesome and the girls love her. Without her I would be doing a lot more damage to my wrist - as it is it's taking a long time to heal because of the time through the day where it's just me and I have to pick them up/change them etc.

Probably best to talk to your case manager and let them know what problems you are having and what specific help you need. They are pretty good but have tightened up heaps lately. If you have someone in mind you could use them, or else they go through agencies/companies and if you arent happy with who you get you can always request they are changed.

I'm not sure about childcare, but they can do the housework, dusting, washing, vacuuming etc. Thats what my mum had when she broke her ankle.

I'm currently on maternity leave but do the assessment work for ACC.

Let your Case Manager know that you're not managing and depending on your circumstances they'll more than likely arrange for an assessment to be carried out in your home.

You'll be assessed based on your injury-related needs and any social support, including partner and family living locally etc will be taken into consideration when working out the help you may be entitled to.
ACC generally cover home help (domestic tasks), child care, attendant care (personal care tasks) and transport but what you actually get will come down to the options identified in the assessment and what your Case Manager ultimately decides. The assessment also has to identify options that you may not necessarily like, such as using family/partner to provide the support, if feasible.

Once ACC have established your entitlement you do get some say in who provides the care. You can go with a care agency or alternatively if you know someone who is available and can provide the care ACC can have them provide the support.

ACC have really tightened the purse strings in the past 12 months and if your partner is available at home during the day then there may be an expectation that he can provide the support required...although it's definitely worth seeing what you are entitled to, especially if you're going to be incapacitated for a long period of time.

Sorry about the long post!!

Thanks ladies, an assesor is coming in the morning to see what i need/what they can provide. A collegue from the ambulance station works thru an agency that work for acc so she said i could request her so that would be good

Good luck!

I broke my wrist a couple of years back and ACC were really great. I didn't get home help (didn't ask or really need it) but they paid for taxis to work for me everyday and I found them to be really helpful when I spoke to them.

I know some people have had really bad experiences with ACC, but mine was really positive.

Thanks ladies, at this stage they have approved 4 hours a day till end of oct, person starts tomorrow which will be great.