A survivor’s grant is a one-off payment to a partner, children and other dependants of someone whose death was the result of an injury. An other dependant is anyone who was financially dependant on the person who died, because of a mental or physical disability. Payments are non-taxable and are calculated based on the date of death.
What do I need to do to get help?
We understand this can be a very difficult time for people, so we do everything we can to make claiming simple.
- Our staff are understanding, flexible and will help you to make the claim and collect the information required.
- Someone outside the immediate family can make the claim, eg a friend, member of your extended family and whanau, the funeral director, or your minister or priest.
- We have Māori, Pacific and Asian advisors who can provide support and help.
- Before ACC can make any payments we have to confirm the death is covered by ACC. So the first step is to contact the nearest ACC office and make a claim. For more information about making a claim, see Injury causing death.
- ACC will also need to confirm your relationship with the deceased. The table below shows the sort of information ACC may need.
Information that ACC may ask for
If you are claiming as a…. |
then ACC may ask for… |
|---|---|
spouse |
a copy of the marriage certificate or civil union licence a statutory declaration about the nature of your relationship copies of your financial records and assets (for example bank statements, bill payments etc) details of your living arrangements such as who you lived with, how long you were living together information about your children |
spouse who was not living with the deceased because of employment obligations |
the information for a spouse as above confirmation from the employer or training institution |
spouse who was not living with the deceased because of health obligations |
the information for a spouse as above a medical certificate further information from your medical practitioner |
spouse who was not living with the deceased because of imprisonment |
the information for a spouse as above confirmation from the Department of Corrections |
child by birth |
a full birth certificate |
child by adoption |
adoption papers showing date of birth and the deceased as an adopting parent |
Stepchild |
a full birth certificate marriage certificate of parents proof that the deceased acted as a parent (normally a statutory declaration from relevant people to confirm the deceased acted as a parent) |
child of the deceased not by birth, adoption or marriage. |
a full birth certificate proof that the deceased acted as a parent (normally a statutory declaration from relevant people to confirm the deceased acted as a parent) |
other dependant |
details of why you were financially dependant, that is, whether their mental or physical disability made you dependant documentation to show that you were financially dependant on the deceased medical confirmation of your medical or physical disability |
How am I eligible?
After ACC has confirmed that a claim for accidental death is acceptable, we will need to confirm your status as a spouse, child or other dependant.
How does ACC decide if I am a spouse?
ACC considers a spouse someone who was legally married or living with the deceased in a relationship in the nature of a marriage. They also need to be either:
- financially supported by the deceased immediately prior to the injury
or
- living with the deceased immediately prior to the injury (unless separated due to imprisonment, employment or health problems).
Note:
ACC recognises that by this definition the deceased may have had more than one spouse at the time of their death. The survivor’s grant is divided equally between all eligible spouses.
Example:
If the deceased had separated from a marriage and was living in a de facto relationship with another partner while still financially supporting their previous partner, both would be considered spouses. The survivor’s grant would be split equally between both spouses.
How does ACC decide who are the children of the deceased?
ACC considers the nature of the relationship of the deceased with a child to determine if they were a parent. Children need to be under 18 years at the time of death and either:
- the natural, or biological, children of the deceased
- an adopted child of the deceased
- a foster child, stepchild or other child for whom the deceased acted as a parent.
How does ACC decide who other dependants are?
ACC recognises other dependants as people who were not a spouse or child of the deceased but who were financially dependent on the deceased because of mental or physical disability.
Example:
If the deceased had a son who was over 18, but the son was financially dependent on the deceased due to being mentally disabled, then ACC would consider the son as an other dependant.
- Important:
The help you will get depends on your individual circumstances. Please contact us to confirm if you are eligible, or to identify other ways in which we can help. See Contact ACC Claims for our contact information.
How long might ACC take to determine if I am eligible?
ACC will generally decide your claim as soon as we have all the information we need to establish your relationship with the deceased. If you claim is likely to be delayed we will contact you to discuss. We may be able to make an advance grant.
Please contact us if you have not heard from us within a reasonable period of time. See Contact ACC Claims for our contact information.
What happens next?
Once we have confirmed your eligibility we will write to you to advise you of our decision. If you are eligible we will make a payment either by direct debit into your bank account or by cheque if we have no bank account details. If you are not eligible we will write to you and tell you why.
When someone dies as a result of an injury there are other ways that ACC may be able to help, see:
Note:
If you are unhappy with the decision, you can ask for it to be reviewed. See What if I have problems with a claim?
Related legislation
Accident Compensation (AC) Act 2001
- Section 116: Indexation of lump sum compensation, funeral grant, survivor's grant, and child care payments (external link)
- Section 131: Advances of compensation and grant (external link)
- Schedule 1, Clause65: Survivor’s grant (external link)
Last updated: 1 December 2010