Managing a large one-off payment

If you’re receiving a large one-off payment you may want to take some time to think about what matters most to you and what you’d like to do next.  

If you decide you’d like support, there are independent community and public services you may choose to explore. ACC is not providing financial advice through this page.  

On this page

    About one-off payments

    A one-off payment is a payment someone receives from ACC, for example after a permanent injury or to cover payment owed from an earlier date. 

    People use these payments in different ways. Some make a plan, while others take time before deciding what to do. 

    If you’d like support at any point, there are options available. 

    If you want help making a plan

    If you’re not sure what to do next or want a plan, you may choose to get free tools, budgeting advice, or financial mentoring support. A simple first step could be talking it through with someone you trust or exploring one of the options below. 

    • Building Financial Capability (BFC): free, government-funded financial mentoring available locally. Mentors can help you create a simple plan, set a budget, and prioritise how to use your payment. 

    • MoneyTalks (FinCap): free, government-funded financial mentoring available nationwide. Mentors can help with everyday money matters, including budgeting, managing debt, and planning ahead.

    • Sorted: free tools and guides to help you plan and manage money if you prefer to work through things yourself.   

    • MoneyMates (MSD): support groups based on the concept of sharing and learning together as a group 

    If you’re worried about someone controlling your money

    If you're worried about your safety or someone else's behaviour, you may want to use a device they cannot access. If it is safe to do so, you can also clear your browser history after visiting websites. Many of the services below have a quick-exit option. If you are in immediate danger, call 111.

    Community Law or Citizens Advice Bureau are also available if legal or rights advice is needed 

    Specialist family violence support: 

    • Shine: domestic violence support and helpline 

    • Are You OK: family violence support and advice 

    • Shakti: culturally specific family violence support 

    If your situation is complex

    You can get legal or rights advice or help if you have a complex situation. You can also access specialist advocacy or family violence services where legal issues sit alongside safety concerns. Some of these services are listed above. 

    • Community Law: free legal information and advice.

    • Citizens Advice Bureau: free help to understand rights, options, and where to go next if you are not sure where to start and want help to find the right service.

    • Building Financial Capability (BFC): one-to-one support where money concerns sit alongside housing, family, health, trauma, or other complex needs (service linked further above). 

    If you need support that works for you

    You may want to check if these services can support your needs. Do this by: 

    • asking whether a service can provide interpreter support, accessible information, extra time, or another way of communicating that works for you 
    • asking your bank what accessibility support or adjustments they can offer 
    • using a trusted support person, advocate, whanau member, or community worker to help you engage with services safely and clearly 
    • asking whether there is a service that understands your culture, language, or community context. 

    If you want help from your bank or with your account

    To get support from your bank or help managing an account, there are different options: 

    • Ask your chosen bank what support they offer if you need help to open an account, understand banking processes, or manage access safely. 
    • Citizens Advice Bureau can help you understand what documents are commonly used or where to get general guidance.
    • Community organisations or support people you already trust may also be able to help you prepare for a bank appointment.

    Banking support services 

    You may want to ask your bank what support they offer for accessibility, hardship, family violence, privacy, private appointments, extra care arrangements, or help to open an account if you have trouble with ID or proof of address. 

    Different banks use different names for these services, and what is available may vary. You don’t need to ask about everything — you can focus on what matters most to you. 

    Support area 

    What this may include 

    Services that may be offered  

    Extra care or vulnerable customer support 

    Extra help for customers who may need more support to manage banking safely, including a named contact, tailored service, or additional checks 

    You can ask if they offer extra care or vulnerable customer services for people who need additional support 

    Private or supported appointments 

    Options for a quieter appointment, more time, support people attending, or a more private discussion 

    Some may arrange a private appointment or provide extra support during a meeting 

    Financial abuse or family violence support 

    Processes to help protect customer privacy, reduce risk, and respond where someone else is controlling the person’s money 

    Some banks have support for customers experiencing financial abuse or family violence 

    Accessibility support 

    Communication support, interpreter options, accessible formats, branch access support, or help to complete banking tasks in a way that works for the customer 

    You can ask what accessibility support they offer and what adjustments they can make 

    Hardship support 

    Specialist teams or processes for customers under financial pressure 

    If you are under financial pressure, ask whether your bank has a hardship team or support process 

    Help to open an account 

    Support where standard ID or proof of address requirements are difficult to meet, or where a person needs help to understand the process 

    If you are having trouble opening an account, ask what support options available and what alternative documents may be accepted 

    Spending controls or account controls 

    Tools or settings that help a customer manage access to money or reduce risky spending, such as card controls, transaction alerts, temporary blocks, or other account settings that may help them stay within limits

    Check what tools or account settings they offer to help you manage spending, reduce risk, or put more control around how your money is accessed

     

     

    Last published: 21 July 2026