A beneficiary's decision to buy a $3,000 running machine advertised on late night TV has ended up in the High Court after Work and Income said "no" to paying for the exercise equipment.

Beneficiary Debbie Port is preparing to battle the Ministry of Social Development for the machine she says should be paid for by taxpayers.

"I thought, well I've got all these conditions, medical conditions, that I'd probably be able to get it under a disability allowance with Work and Income," Ms Port says.

Ms Port suffers from anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome and a disease that affects the circulation in her hands and feet.

When she broke her ankle in 2013 she was left in chronic pain.

"I'd tried to go back to running outdoors. But that just made things worse and I started experiencing dizzy spells," she says.

The beneficiary thought she'd found a solution when she spotted the so-called 'tread climber' being advertised on a late night infomercial.

"I didn't think there'd be a problem as long as I got it signed off by a doctor and explained why I needed it and stuff," she says.

But that application was declined by Work and Income.

Source: 1 NEWS

So Ms Port took it to the Social Security Appeal Authority which ordered the ministry to pay two thirds of the $3,000 cost.

That prompted the ministry to lodge an appeal with the High Court.

The Taxpayers Union says the ministry is right to fight the decision

"Most taxpayers would agree that it's not unreasonable to expect a beneficiary to get the approval first before they order a $3,000 piece of fitness equipment, especially one ordered from late night television," says Jordan Williams ,Taxpayers Union executive director.

A beneficiary advocate, Graham Howell of the Benefit Rights Service, is representing Ms Port and says this case could have big implications.

"I would say that's a great thing for beneficiaries to show initiative to try to fix their problems," Mr Howell says.