"Beneficiaries receiving health-related benefits have a signed medical certificate form and independent health practitioner, which states the primary reason they are unable to work and will have deferred work obligations until such time as their health practitioner deems them ready to work," she said.
The Ministry could not provide the total number of applications made, but provided the number of grants made for supported living payment and job seeker support for working age clients.
Job seeker Support helps people find work and provides them with a weekly payment, while the supported living payment is assistance for people who have, or are caring for someone with a health condition, injury or disability.
Ms Bound stated the grants were for a "health condition, injury, or disability with a primary incapacity of substance abuse - alcohol or drugs".
In the 2015/2016 financial year, 137 people received either of these grants. Of this total, 53 were classified under "alcohol", and 84 under "drugs".
This was an increase on the past two financial years - in the 2014/2015 year, 115 working age clients received these grants, with 82 classified under drugs.
This was up slightly on the year prior when 112 people received grants. Of the 98 who received job seeker support in the 2013/2014 year, 51 were classed under "drugs".
Every year more grants were made through job seeker support than the supported living payment.
Ms Searle said while people seeking their help might use a particular substance, "general drug and alcohol use and addiction is on the rise".
The MASH Trust services the lower North Island, providing support services for people with mental health, intellectual or physical disability or illness, alcohol and addiction.
Ms Searle also noted the job market was very competitive, with more employers conducting random drug testing as part of their employee screening for those already at work.
This was particularly in areas with a high risk of injury without appropriate Health and Safety Management and practices in place, she said.
"It is more difficult to get a job particularly if you have an alcohol or drug addiction and many have lost their jobs due to being found to be under the influence at work."
When asked what services were needed to reduce the number with substance addiction, Ms Searle said it was support - despite funding increases being the "catch cry" in the health and social services sector.
"More support is required to deal with drug and alcohol addiction before patterns are entrenched," she said.
"[Also] earlier intervention and support, education and raising awareness and more frontline staff particularly dealing with younger people who are, after all, our future."