If your child's eczema is severe and chronic it can be very expensive buying all their lotions and potions and paying for specialist medical care. Below are some avenues of government assistance that you may be able to access. The information contained in this page is relevant to New Zealand families only.

Ministry of Social Development

Child Disability Allowance

Child Disability Allowance is a fortnightly payment made to the main carer of a child or young person with a serious disability. It is paid in recognition of the extra care needed for that child. This is a non-means tested allowance.
In order to apply for this allowance you need to ring WINZ on 0800 559 009 and have them send you the application form. When you do this your call is logged and your name is in the system. If you are granted the allowance then payments will be backdated to the date of your first call. In this first call you are also given an appointment date with your local WINZ office in which you bring all the completed and required paper work. The application form has a section for you to fill in and one for your G.P or specialist to complete.
The Brochure: http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/disability-assistance-alla0014.pdf

 

Disability Allowance:

The Disability Allowance is for people who have a disability and need help with everyday tasks or ongoing medical care. It helps with things like regular visits to the doctor or hospital, medicines, extra clothing or travel if these arise from your disability. This is a means tested allowance. To apply ring WINZ on 0800 559 009
The Brochure: http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/disability-assistance-alla0014.pdf
 

Community Services or High Use Health Card

A Community Services Card can help you and your family with the costs of healthcare. You’ll pay less for some health services – simply by showing your card.The Community Services Card reduces the cost of:

• prescriptions if you don’t belong to a PHO (Primary Health Organisation)
• after hours doctor visits
• visits to a doctor who is not your regular doctor
• glasses for children under 16 years
• emergency dental care* provided by hospitals and approved dental contractors (ask the dental provider if they are an approved contractor)
• travel and accommodation for treatment at a public hospital outside your area when you have been referred (at least 80km away for adults and 25km for children)
• home help.

If you don’t qualify for the Community Services Card, you may be able to get the High Use Health Card. This card can help if you visit the doctor often for an ongoing medical condition (12 times or more in the last 12 months). It gives you the same subsidies on doctors’ visits and prescriptions as the Community Services Card, but it is not a family card.
To apply for Community Services or High Use Health Card ring WINZ on 0800 999 999
The Brochure: http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/community-services-card-alla0005.pdf

Ministry Of Education

Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour

Resource teachers: learning and behaviour (RTLBs) are employed by clusters of schools and work in the school sector advising teachers on how to help students with moderate learning and behaviour difficulties.
website: http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/SpecialEducation/AboutSpecialEducation/
WhoWeAre/SpecialistStaffProfiles/ResourceTeacherLearningAndBehaviour.aspx

If your child's eczema is interfering with their ability to learn and attend school you may want to discuss ways in which this issue can be addressed with your school and the RTLB. If your child requires for example, assistance with applying emollient throughout the day that requires a frequency and intensity that is unreasonable to expect of the classroom teacher, then you may consider applying to the High Health Needs Fund.

High Health Needs Fund

Website Link:
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/SpecialEducation/FormsAndGuidelines/
TheSchoolHighHealthNeedsFund/The_School_High_Health_Needs_Fund.aspx