Disability Support Services (DSS) is a business group in the Ministry of Social Development. It is responsible for providing essential support to around 50,000 disabled people and their whānau, as well as equipment and modification services for approximately 100,000 New Zealanders.
For disabled people, whānau and carers, your first point of contact is your provider, NASC, or Enabling Good Lives site.
There are eligibility criteria for Disability Support Services. The following information can help you understand what you would be entitled to and how to start the process.
Disability Support Services-funded support services are available to people who have a physical, intellectual or sensory disability (or a combination of these) which:
- is likely to continue for at least six months
- needs ongoing support to live independently, to the extent that ongoing support is required.
These services are mainly for people under the age of 65 years.
Disability Support Services will also fund disability support services for people with:
- some neurological conditions that result in permanent disabilities
- some developmental disabilities in children and young people, such as Autism
- physical, intellectual or sensory disability that co-exists with a health condition and/or injury.
The first place you need to go to is your local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) provider. They will be able to confirm if you meet eligibility criteria and some of them will provide you with a referral form.