New Zealand only: What is the Government Wigs and Hair Pieces Service Grant/Subsidy?
A Government Subsidy known as The Wigs and Hairpieces service payment is a payment to people who suffer from temporary or permanent hair loss because of a medical condition or from certain cancer therapies (like cancer treatment, alopecia, or other scalp conditions that cause hair loss). The payments are to reduce the cost of purchasing and maintaining a Wig or Hairpiece and obtaining Headwear such as hats and turbans.
To claim
- You must be a New Zealand citizen or ordinarily resident in New Zealand and
- Have a current medical certificate with your NHI number, details of the hair loss condition, and whether it is permanent or temporary from your specialist or general practitioner (GP)
Next
- You choose a wig or hairpiece or headwear at one of our studios
- We then make a claim on your behalf to the Ministry of Health for the wig subsidy or your claim it yourself
or
- You purchase your wig or hairpiece or headwear Online and you make the claim yourself to the Ministry of Health to receive your subsidy. You can email us at info@wigs.co.nz to receive the form and instructions to claim your subsidy.
Note: Wigs by Haircreations is an Approved Wig Provider for the Ministry of Health and can help with the administration of your grant with the Ministry of Health.
How much can I claim?
It depends on whether you are aged over 18 and whether your hair loss is temporary or permanent.
| Who can claim the grant/subsidy? | Wig grants/ subsidies |
Entitlement Period |
|---|---|---|
| Adults over 18 years with temporary hair loss (Cancer, etc) | $408.88 | 1 year |
| Adults over 18 years with permanent hair loss (Alopecia, etc) | $2330.66 | 9 years |
| Children under 18 years with temporary or permanent hair loss | $1226.65 | 3 years, or until you turn 18 (if that happens first) |
Subsidy for chemo patients over 18 years (Temporary hair loss)
For adults with temporary hair loss, you can claim all part of your entitlement at any time within 1 year. Synthetic wigs are the most popular choice for clients with temporary hair loss, and most of our synthetic wigs are priced within this value.
Subsidy for alopecia patients over 18 years (Permanent hair loss)
For adults with permanent hair loss, you can claim all or part of your entitlement at any time within 9 years. Human hair wigs are the most popular choice for clients with permanent hair loss, and most of our synthetic wigs are priced within this value.
Subsidy for patients under 18 years (Temporary or Permanent hair loss)
If you are under 18, your entitlement is the same regardless of whether hair loss is temporary or permanent. You can claim all or part of your entitlement at any time within the 3-year period.
Note: The entitlement period begins on the date you make your first purchase.
What can I use the Ministry of Health Subsidy or grant for?
The grant is to be used towards the purchase of a wig, hairpiece, and/or headwear such as hats and turbans.
More information is available on the Ministry of Health website by clicking here.
Accidents and burns covered by ACC (Accident Compensation Commission – New Zealand)
ACC most commonly covers hair loss caused by accidents and burns. Wigs by Haircreations see many clients with scalp scar tissue that precludes hair growth. When full hair loss exists, a full prosthetic wig must be designed. In that case, we quote directly to ACC. Wigs by Haircreations is an Approved Wig Provider for ACC.
