Gluten Free work and income disability allowance?

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Gluten Free work and income disability allowance?

by lois
(christchurch)

Due to gluten syndrome i along with 4 of my family went GF and we feel great thanks to dr gluten.
I was told by my GP I should claim my gf food cost.So he filled out disability form and I collected my receipts filed in form and dropped it in to winz.

After a two weeks i decided to ring 0800 winz and she told my the person handling the processing had made a note on my file GF soup is not a necessary item also GF sausages are the same price as normal gluten sausages. Well I would love to know where they got that information.

I asked if i could appeal they said yes i would need to bring in the pkt gf soup and (receipts again). Also proof that GF sausages are more expensive. She even suggested I bring the GF bacon in as well.

I couldn't believe it. My case manager I emailed her and will be seeing her July the first the only appointment available. Please note case manager is not the problem she is good.

I am interested to know if anyone has had the same issues?

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Gluten Free work and income disability allowance?

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May 08, 2010
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Number for prescription gF foods
by: Anonymous

Once you have been diagonised you get a number to get prescription foods from an Oamaru pharmacy. But they have gone up considerably and have a very limited range. when I first got it 6 years ago I could get the Simple Baking mix 1kf for $1.59 + gst + freight. now its $5.50 ++
and you can get the organ pasta as well but its not as nice as the ones gf pasta at the supermarket. its around 2.50 compared with $5.00 in supermarket

May 08, 2010
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WINZ Subsidy for Gluten Free
by: Anonymous

the hospital based dietitcin that I have seen printed off a letter to say that Gluten Free foods cost on average $30 more than standard grocery items. So I get $33 per week asssitance (as I have to see doctor 4times a year for coeliac disease check ups). it is income tested, we earn less than $40,000 is the limit approx I believe. I have been receivving it for 3 years but each year the dietician prints off the same letter and in that time the bread has gone from $4.95 per loaf up to $9.29 per loaf, which kinda annoys me that the subsidy hasnt gone up, but on the other hand I am very greatful to receive the $33 per week, it helps me to eat much better. I did work it out once, in a normal week I would buy & eat something like:

Bread $1.50 GF Bread $9.29 Diff $7.79
Pasta (2) $3.00 GF Pasta $9.00 Diff $6.00
Biscuits(1)$6.99GF Bisc $1.99 Diff $5.00
Sausages $6.99 GF Saus $9.99 Diff $3.00
Pizza base $2.99 GF Pizza Base $6.99 Diff $4.00
Tortilla $3.99 GF Tortilla $6.09 Diff $2.10
Spag $0.75 GF Spag $4.00 Diff $3.25
Flour $1.99 GF Flour $9.00 Diff $7.01
Pancake Mix $1.99 GF P/Cake Mix $7.50 Diff $5.51

So total average difference in price is $43.66

then there are things that you buy once every couple months like GF Marmite is $3 difference, GF icing sugar dearer ths list goes on

It seems odd to me that a child can get more my friends child is GF & they get $42 per week. I would think that an adult would eat more than a child but HEY im not complaining Im greatful that I get the $33 per week cos it really helps me out.

Jan 07, 2009
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GF Allowance-nice!
by: Anonymous

Hi, just want to comment how nice and easy this all sounds. Unfortunately I don't think it's this easy in Canada, from what I've found. If anyone in Canada (Calgary) knows different, please pass it on. We can claim it on our taxes as long as the total exceeds about $3000.00/yr as far as I know.

Jan 01, 2009
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Gluten free disability allowance.
by: Susan Bisson

Thank you to the kind Case officer from Winz for your response to my comments.
Just one query, does one have to be actually already on a benefit to be given this disability allowance or can anyone and then, if not on a benefit, is it means tested?

regards, Susan Bisson.

Jan 01, 2009
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Advice re-disability allowance and WINZ
by: Anonymous

Hi, I bet this post is a wee bit old, but I thought I would like to add a few things in!
I am a case manager for Work and Income, and yes, we can include gluten free in a disability allowance, as long as there is enough evidence, proof of costs, and of course, as long as the whole disability allowance form meets the criteria. You must understand, we are not doctors, we can only go on what the doctor reccomends. If we are not sure, we do have access to a expert whom works with us, whom can contact the doctor to discuss, if the client gives us the written permission, and if needed.
The way the Disability allowance works, is, if you qualify, we look at the additional costs of an item. Eg-bread. If the bread you have to buy is $6.00, and the price of a normal loaf is $3.00, we would look at this amount for your disbaility allowance. So, apart from the fully completed disability allowance form and your ID, we would need soemthing from your doctor/dietiation showing what food you need because of the gluten intolerance, and proof (eg receipts) showing what you have had to purchase. We total up what you need, and work out what you could be entitled to. I do reccomend you do discuss with your doctor anything else aswell, such as doctors visits per year, prescriptions etc, that we can possibly add into your disabiltiy allowance. Re-the appointments thing. It gets a wee bit crazy at work and income for appointments, and unfortunatly the case managers day is run by appointments, which they dont have alot of control over. If appointments are a problem, then you need to contact the manager whom can see if anything can be done!!
I hope this has been helpful??

Jul 09, 2008
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Disability Allowance for gluten free food
by: Susan

As I understand it, a disability allowance is given for extra expense incurred with gluten free food to children up to the age of eighteen, regardless of their parents' income.
We see this as a form of discrimination as coeliac condition is a life time, life threatening condition and doesn't disappear at the age of eighteen. At eighteen,when usually off to varsity or working,assistance for such expensive neccessities (food is neccessary!)should surely be continued.
Equally, ACC is not determined by age or marital status or whether on a benefit; neither should this be! This is a matter of blatent discrimination and should be referred to the Human Relations Department.
Obviously, when diagnosed with a biopsy and given a Hospital Authority number for obtaining flour and pastas very much cheaper from Crombie & Price, this is great but there are still many other items that are not covered by this and a general set disability allowance given to diagnosed Gluten Free people and endorsed by a medical practioner,should be recognised as being needed for life.
What do others feel about these discrepencies in our health system?

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