ACC Death Benefits in New Zealand: What Families Can Claim

Does ACC apply to this death?

ACC covers deaths caused by accidents — physical injuries caused by an external event. This includes:

• Road accidents (car, motorcycle, cycling)
• Workplace accidents
• Falls, drownings, and home accidents
• Sports and recreational accidents
• Medical misadventure (treatment injury)

ACC does not apply if the death was caused by a medical condition or illness — even if the illness was sudden or unexpected. If you are unsure whether the death qualifies, contact ACC directly and they can advise.

What ACC provides to families

Amounts are reviewed annually and may have changed. Contact ACC for current rates.

Weekly compensation for survivors

If the deceased was employed and their dependants relied on their income, ACC can pay weekly compensation to the surviving spouse or partner. The payment is based on 60% of the deceased's earnings at the time of the accident, up to the maximum weekly compensation limit.

This continues until the surviving partner remarries or enters a new relationship of the same nature, or for a set period — whichever comes first. A solicitor or ACC can advise on the specific terms for your situation.

Dependent children may also receive weekly payments, separate from the Survivor's Grant.

How to make a claim

1. 1 Contact ACC as soon as possible — call 0800 101 996 or visit acc.co.nz. Tell them the person died as a result of an accident and you want to make a claim. You don't need to have all documents ready at this stage.
2. 2 ACC opens a claim and will tell you what documentation they need. This typically includes the death certificate, evidence of the accident, and proof of your relationship to the deceased.
3. 3 Submit your documents — ACC will guide you through this. If the Coroner is still investigating, ACC can often begin processing with preliminary information.
4. 4 ACC assesses the claim and confirms which payments you're entitled to. Funeral grant payments are typically processed quickly; weekly compensation is set up as an ongoing payment.

ACC and the Work and Income Funeral Grant

These are separate schemes. If ACC covers the funeral costs, you would not also claim the Work and Income Funeral Grant for the same expenses. However, if ACC covers only part of the funeral cost, you may be able to seek additional assistance from Work and Income for the balance. Speak to both agencies about your specific situation.

If your claim is declined

If ACC declines your claim or you disagree with the decision, you have the right to review. ACC's review process is free, and you can get help from a Citizens Advice Bureau or a solicitor experienced in ACC matters. Most decisions can be reviewed within three months of the decision date.